The Willie Mullins-trained Simenon was beaten at odds-on in the Punchestown Annual Membership Form 95 Hurdle as Davy Russell on Un Beau Matin claimed top honours.

Simenon was a revelation on the Flat in the summer, winning twice at Royal Ascot and running with credit at Goodwood, York and the Curragh after that.

Back to hurdles, the writing was on the wall two from home as he was pushed along in an effort to get on terms with the leaders and he was well beaten when making a bad mistake at the last. At the head of affairs, the Gordon Elliott-trained Un Beau Matin was pushed out to beat Owega Star with something in hand.

Elliott, also on the mark with Tarquinius, was at Cheltenham, where he said: "He loves that soft ground and stays very well. I'm not sure where he'll go next, but it was great to get that win today."

Nick Peacock of Wicklow Bloodstock Limited, owners of Simenon, said: "He wasn't suited by the ground, it's really testing winter ground. Ideally he likes it just on the soft side of good. Racing is 98 per cent disappointment and we've just had a bit of the 98 per cent."

20 June 2013

Opportunity knocks for Green Door
Pretending has to be real stayer
Stack hopes are alive and kicking
Rock ready to roll
Estimate takes Gold test
Happy ending for Annecdote
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted

19 June 2013

Godolphin swoop for Libertarian
Toronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist