The much-travelled Simenon has recorded his first victory over obstacles since May 2012 with success in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.

One of the most admirable dual-purpose horses in training, Simenon has been campaigned exclusively on the Flat in recent times, finishing second in last season's Gold Cup at the Royal meeting and fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

He has also run in Japan, Hong Kong and Dubai, and signalled a return to form when fifth to Leading Light in this year's Gold Cup.

Settled in mid-division through the early stages of his jumping return by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was still full of running three out and soon joined in with Darwins Fox from the second-last.

The pair took the final flight almost as one, but Simenon proved the stronger on the run to the line, winning by 1-1/4 lengths as the 10-11 favourite.

A return to Australia is unlikely but Mullins flagged more jumps races for Simenon including a possible tilt at the Nakayama Jump which he won last year with Blackstairmountain.

"It can be very tough in those Flat races so it's good to get his head in front again," Mullins said.

"He's in everything from the Irish St Leger to the American St Leger and it also opens up jumps races in America for him.

"He'll be entered for the Galway Hurdle, but I'm not sure if he'd run carrying top weight in it.

"The Nakayama jumps race has a huge prize and that's another option.

"He just has lots of options now."

He added: "It looked like he was coming back to form the way he ran at Ascot and he's coming on again now.

"If he ran in a Flat race and ran well he might get a few nice invites like he did last year."