Simenon bound for hurdles from now on Simenon's career on the Flat could be over after he failed to fire in last week's Lonsdale Cup at York. The eight-year-old has been an excellent servant to trainer Willie Mullins and owner Nick Peacock, particularly at Royal Ascot, where he won twice in the space of five days in 2012 and has finished second and fourth twice in the last three runnings of the Gold Cup. Simenon also finished fourth in the 2013 Melbourne Cup, but has disappointed on his last couple of starts at Goodwood and York and Peacock feels it could be time to call it a day on the Flat if he is unable to compete in the top staying races. Peacock said: "I would say age is maybe catching up with him. He certainly doesn't seem to have enjoyed himself on his last two runs. "We could run him in long-distance hurdles for a year or two, as long as the ground is good. Otherwise he'll be given an honourable retirement. "I wouldn't think he'll run on the Flat again. The last thing I want to do is see him running in handicaps on the Flat as there's nothing worse than seeing a good horse slogged when he's on the way down. "You never know, Willie Mullins is a genius and he might be able to get him back, but I think he deserves to be treated as best as we can. "He's had a great run, but all good things come to an end eventually."
