Bahrain Trophy
Group 3, Newmarket 13:50
£200,000 guaranteed,
3yo only,
1m 5f, Class 1    
Thursday 10th July 2025

1 Scandinavia 11/8F
2 Nightime Dancer 11/4
3 Hallelujah U 20/1
5 ran Distances: 8½l, 4¼l, 2¾l
Time: 2m 42.30s (fast by 1.20s)

A performance of real authority from Scandinavia, as Aidan O’Brien’s son of Justify turned the Group 3 contest into something of a procession under a typically ice-cool ride from Ryan Moore.

Sent off the well-supported 11-8 favourite in a field of five, Moore was content to let proceedings unfold in front of him, slotting in just behind the pace set by Furthur. The rhythm was metronomic early doors, but the moment Scandinavia was asked to lengthen three furlongs out, the gears shifted — and the race was effectively over in a matter of strides.

He surged to the lead without so much as a flicker of concern and galloped clear in isolation, ears pricked, to score by an emphatic eight and a half lengths — hardly breaking sweat in the process. The bookmakers sat up and took notice, with Paddy Power slicing his St Leger odds from 20-1 to 6-1 on the back of such a dominant display.

Paul Smith, representing the ownership team that includes his father Derrick, was full of post-race praise: “Ryan was very pleased — said he’s uncomplicated, gets into a beautiful rhythm and clearly stays well. He’s come forward again from Ascot, and that’s always a good sign.”

There was a nod to longer-term targets too: “He was caught wide for a lot of the race at Ascot but came out of it in great shape, and he loved the ground today. The Irish St Leger, the English Leger — all those staying tests are on the table now, and he could well shape into a Cup horse for next season.”

Of course, O’Brien already holds a strong St Leger hand, spearheaded by dual Derby hero Lambourn. But Smith was keen to emphasise that the door remains open: “There are lots of moving parts — let’s see how they all come through the summer festivals. Goodwood and York are still to come, and he’s firmly in the mix.”

A polished staying performance, and one that suggests Scandinavia may yet make his mark among the Classic generation — and perhaps beyond.

Bahrain Trophy (Group 3)
£200,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 5f, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good to Firm

POS. (DRAW) FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (2)    Scandinavia 3 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 11/8F
2 (4) 8½ Nightime Dancer 3 9-3 Richard Hannon Sean Levey 11/4
3 (1) 4¼ Hallelujah U 3 9-3 James Owen Sean D Bowen 20/1
4 (5) 2¾ Titanium Emperor 3 9-3 Adrian Murray David Egan 8/1
5 (3) 9½ Furthur 3 9-3 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 7/2