Royal Ascot: Scandinavia takes Gold Cup win for O’Brien

Scandinavia chased down Trawlerman to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and land ⁠trainer Aidan O’Brien his 100th winner at the festival.

Locked in a neck-and-neck battle with long-term leader Trawlerman – who won the race last year – Scandinavia came through at the end to win, with Sweet William in third.

O’Brien, who had his first Ascot winner in 1997, called the 11/8 favourite “relentless”.

“We felt he was very brave. He ‌always showed that in every race,” ‌said O’Brien.

“He’s relentless. It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be involved in the team, to ⁠be the small part that I am with everybody.

“Even this week, it’s literally one race at a time and you don’t even think about what it could be or whether it could ‌happen because it’s so competitive, so hard ​to win races here.”

Winning jockey Ryan Moore said he was made to work hard after being jostled by Caballo De Mar, who finished last.

“He should’ve won easier,” Moore said. “I had to work to get to Trawlerman and I thought I had him, and then I had to go again. Trawlerman’s a brave horse and kept coming.”

Trawlerman was wearing ski goggles before the race to help alleviate an eye problem which makes him sensitive to the sun.

Earlier in the day Nola Soul won the Chesham Stakes, with Enceladus taking the King George V Stakes.