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David O'Meara's stable stalwart Penitent played a starring role in an across-the-card four-timer for the trainer by downing the young guns in a thrilling renewal of the Timeform Jury Stakes at Haydock Park.

The eight-year-old has been a magnificent servant for the Nawton handler and owners Middleham Park Racing since being snapped up from Cheveley Park a couple of years ago, taking his connections to Paris, Dubai and Hong Kong along the way.

An old-stager who can be relied on to flourish when the mud is flying, the drying conditions on Merseyside tempered his team's confidence, but he rolled back the years to strike Group Three gold.

Handy from the outset in the hands of Daniel Tudhope, the 33-1 shot was sent on two furlongs from home, but the challengers were queuing up in behind.

Tawhid and Eton Forever both loomed up ominously before being brushed aside and in the end it was Breton Rock who gave the veteran most to think about after being produced on the far rail, but Penitent clung on by a short head.

Tudhope said: "He's the stable star this horse, he's just an absolute legend."

Middleham Park racing manager Tim Palin said: "There's life in the old dog yet. At declaration time we thought he had a chance - seven furlongs on soft ground - but then it started drying out and we weren't as confident.

"I have to say I was surprised when they called him the winner. I thought we'd lost it in the photo and we were all commiserating with each other.

"On his day he can still run to a mark of around 115. He was tough and fought them all off, so we're delighted. Where we go from here, heaven only knows."

O'Meara, also among the winners at York and Chester, had earlier seen another eight-year-old Dubai Hills (4-1) register his first turf triumph in the best part of two years with a runaway victory in the haydock-park.co.uk Handicap under Tudhope.

"The horse was tanking with me the whole way and I probably got to the front too soon, but he did it well," said the jockey.