Scandinavia pips Trawlerman in vintage Gold Cup at Royal Ascot | Report, reaction, free video replay
Scandinavia put in a street-fighting effort to edge a sustained brawl with Trawlerman in a vintage duel for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
It was a fitting way for Aidan O’Brien to notch his 100th winner at Royal Ascot, Ryan Moore in full drive mode to get the 11/8 favourite home from a gallant reigning champion in Trawlerman.
John & Thady Gosden’s eight-year-old hadn’t been seen for 243 days and he sported ski goggles in the parade ring due to an eye condition, but he turned up in terrific shape to defend his Gold Cup crown.
William Buick rode him prominently with no apparent worries over his fitness and he had them all at it after the bell rang for the turn for home with plenty of rivals typically toiling in behind.
Scandinavia, however, had tracked the son of Golden Horn through under Ryan Moore and the contest quickly became a two-horse race with the pair clear of the rest.
At one point late in the contest it looked as though Trawlerman might shake him off, but Scandinavia was brave and strong to get there by a head in a compelling contest that had shades of yesteryear thanks to the nature of the battle and the Coolmore v Godolphin sub-plot.
Trawlerman was well backed throughout the day but was eventually sent off 100/30, the market getting this spot on as favourite edged second favourite.
Sweet William (11/1) was nine lengths behind in third, with Al Riffa, ridden cold in a bid to get the 2m4f trip, fourth for the red-hot Joseph O’Brien.
Winning rider Ryan Moore said: “He should have won easier! I was happy where I was and then Oisin came up around me and I didn’t want us all going three in a line and then he took me out of the race and I’ve had to work to get to Trawlerman, thought I had it and then had to go again. Trawlerman is a brave horse, he kept coming.
“He [O’Brien] identifies these horses and brings them here, absolutely jumping out of their skin and I’m lucky to ride them.
“His [Scandinavia] record since he got beat here last year, he keeps finding a way to win.
“The answer with Aidan is he won’t care [about 100 RA winners], he’ll probably be thinking about the next 100, that’s what separates him.”
More to read on Royal Ascot 2026
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