Un Beau Matin and connections© Photo Healy Racing
Simenon ran too bad to be true in the Punchestown Annual Membership From #95 Hurdle leaving the way clear for Un Beau Matin to complete a 19/1 double for Gordon Elliott.
Elliott, earlier on the mark with the heavily-backed, Tarquinius was watching in from Cheltenham and he'll have been pleased to see Davy Russell in the Gigginstown House Stud silks on Un Beau Matin, lead entering the straight and the four-year-old stayed on well from before the last to prevail by two and a half lengths from Owega Star
The alarm bells were ringing for backers of the threes on chance, Simenon, from the second last. He was soon well-beaten and he looked legless when making a mistake at the last. The dual Royal Ascot hero eventually trailed in a poor fourth under Paul Townend.
Elliott reported by phone: "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."
Meanwhile 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." (AM & EM)
