First Ascot winner for Mullins
A high-class Flat performer for Andrew Balding before joining Mullins to go hurdling, Simenon showed some smart form in his first few appearances over timber.
The 8-1 chance travelled powerfully throughout the two-and-a-half-mile contest and showed a nice turn of foot in the home straight to win by six lengths.
Al Khawaneej grabbed the runner-up spot, with outsiders Nafaath and Scots Gaelic filling the places.
Mullins said: “I’ve never been here (winner’s enclosure) before, we’ve lost in a few photos finishes.
“I thought the omens were good when Danny Shum had a winner here earlier (Little Bridge) from Hong Kong because he used to work for my father back in 1978 I think.
“This horse has just improved. Hurdles have made him settle, they’ve been a big help.
“I think I might leave him here because he’s in the Queen Alexandra on Saturday and we’ll see how he comes out of this.
“I haven’t any plans over hurdles. We brought him for Cheltenham, I thought he might win but he finished last so I thought it might have been the travel but the lad who does him said he settled much better and drank a lot of water which is a big thing.”
Moore was banned for three days (July 3-5) after being found guilty of careless riding.
