Mullins strikes with Simenon Top National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins sent out Simenon to claim the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainers from the jumping fraternity have a terrific record in this two and a half mile handicap and their record was enhanced in no uncertain terms. The joint top-weight had shown a fair level of form over hurdles this winter and had warmed up for this contest with a facile success at Cork last month. Previously a decent sort on the level for Andrew Balding, the five year old picked up smartly in the straight for Ryan Moore to put the race to bed in a matter of strides and was good value for the six length winning margin. Call It On had taken the field along at a sensible pace before trying to quicken the tempo inside the final mile and, while any number of runners were still in with a shout at the top of the straight, none appeared to be going any better than Frankie Dettori's mount Western Pearl. The mare found less than expected, however, and remarkably failed to even claim a place as Simenon swept past in the centre of the track, followed home by the progressive giant, Al Khawaneej, with 40-1 shots Nafaath and Scots Gaelic filling the minor berths. 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 said to Ryan to settle him on the rails and if you can't ride your own race. I hoped they'd gone fast enough and they weren't going to sprint away from him. Once he got him out and got running, he was gone. "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." Ryan Moore picked up a three-day suspension (3rd to 5th July) for careless riding aboard Simenon.
