Cup bid on agenda for Simenon

Simenon could be stepped up in class for the Goodwood Cup on his next start after his two victories at Royal Ascot this week.

The five-year-old gave Irish champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins his first Royal victory when claiming Tuesday's two-and-a-half-mile Ascot Stakes and was even more impressive four days later in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

Mullins is eyeing at tilt at the Melbourne Cup further down the line, but is likely to first head to Glorious Goodwood.

He told At The Races: "He was very impressive and he seems a nice stayer. He was dropped by the handicapper, so he is just going back up to where he was. I'd say with his age and maturity he's just getting a bit stronger, I think.

"The Melbourne Cup is at the back of our minds. I think we have a high enough rating now but we'd have to qualify by either winning a Listed race or being placed in a Group race I believe, although I'd have to check the conditions.

"I think we're aiming towards the Goodwood Cup at this stage. The only thing wrong with that is that it's on Galway Hurdle day, but I think I might travel to Goodwood, as I've never been there."