Penitent team rewarded at Doncaster

Penitent rewarded the decision of his connections to bypass the Lincoln by gaining Listed glory at Doncaster 24 hours later.

And his win in the Best Odds Guaranteed At william.com Doncaster Mile gave his new owners, Middleham Park Racing, an instant return on their 40,000 guineas investment.

The six-year-old won the Lincoln in 2010 for the Cheveley Park Stud and was bought out of trainer William Haggas’ stable at the Tattersalls October Sales.

He would have had to carry top weight in the big handicap, but was withdrawn from yesterday’s race at the final declaration stage.

However, he still made a triumphant return to Town Moor for his new trainer David O’Meara, who was absent as his wife Sarah gave birth to a baby girl on Saturday.

Danny Tudhope brought Penitent (5-1) to challenge towards the centre of the course and led inside the final furlong before going on to defeat St Moritz by a half a length with Questioning a head away in third.

However, the second and third places were reversed following a stewards’ inquiry and St Moritz’s rider Adrian Nicholls was banned for two days (April 16 and 17) for careless riding.

Tim Palin, Middleham Park’s racing manager, said: “We spent a lot of time this week deciding where to run this horse.

“We could have gone for the Lincoln or gone to France, but we thought we’d go for this and maybe finish in the first three.

“He’ll have a Listed penalty now so we’re going to have to step him up to Group Threes. We’ll probably have to go abroad to win with him at that level.

“He loves soft ground, so France will be on his agenda, maybe Ireland as well.”