Simonsig impresses at Ascot Simonsig got his hurdle career off to a great start with an effortless success in the Redstone "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Ascot this afternnon, one of five winners on the day for trainer Nicky Henderson. The striking grey was sent off the 1/5 favourite for this event after a strong spell point-to-pointing in Ireland as well as when winning a valuable bumper at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting for Ian Ferguson. Barry Geraghty did not need to ask Simonsig any questions to coast home 11 lengths clear and earned a quote of 12/1 from Coral and Betfred for the "Neptune" at Cheltenham. "I suppose you can see by his starting price that we expected him to win," said Henderson. "This is a very nice horse and we can potter about with him. I suppose you could look at the Challow Hurdle (Newbury, December 31) if you wanted to stay at two and a half miles."
