led and disputed, led from 6th, asserted before last, slight mistake last, quickened clear run-in, easily
held up in rear, progress at 2nd and soon led, slightly slow and headed 3rd, soon disputed again, headed 6th, soon disputed 2nd, slight mistake 8th, ridden in 4th after 4 out, no impression before straight, no extra before 3 out, weakened and tailed off
chased leader early, soon settled 3rd, disputed 2nd from 6th, 2nd after 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and soon ridden in 3rd, no impression next, kept on one pace
soon held up in rear, closer in 3rd after 4 out, 2nd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
Willie Mullins had a fantastic Galway and SIMENON can continue the stable's run. He's always been a class act, as he showed when completing a double at Royal Ascot in 2012, and he won a Grade 3 over timber in 2014. He was having his first hurdles run since then when beating stablemate McKinley here last month and, though penalised, can see off the classy chaser Bright New Dawn. Gordon Elliott's charge ran in the Plate last week where he wasn't disgraced though his most recent runs over hurdles haven't quite been up to scratch. Icantsay appears to have a mind of his own and refused to race at Kilbeggan before landing a maiden over this track and trip, though he'll need to find much more against these rivals. High Nellie looks outclassed on what we've seen so far.
Simenon (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Led, soon clear, reduced lead from 4 out, still travelling smoothly from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and pressed, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f gd in Jul beating Mckinley (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Icantsay (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led, joined from 3rd, regained lead from 4 out and went on approaching straight, reduced lead 2 out, asserted again run-in, stayed on well closing stages, won at Cork 3m mdn gd in Jul beating Call Vinnie (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, closer order when not fluent last, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 8th of 22, 22 1/2l behind Lord Scoundrel (10-7) at Galway 2m 7f hcp (1) Yielding in Jul.
High Nellie (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent in 3rd, 2nd 4 out, almost on terms 2 out, dropped to 3rd and ridden approaching straight, dropped to 7th before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 20 1/4l behind Oisin James (11-8) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp Yielding in Jul.
