Scandinavia announced himself again with a straightforward triumph in the BAR 1 Betting Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan.
Aidan O’Brien’s Justify colt won both the Goodwood Cup and the St Leger last term, proving himself to be a force to be reckoned with at the top level over a staying trip.
Under Ryan Moore he was the 11-10 favourite when returning to action at Listed level, and a length-and-a-quarter win saw him installed as the 2-1 favourite for the Gold Cup at Ascot.
O’Brien said: “That was lovely, Ryan was delighted with him, he said he was very comfortable throughout the race.
“He’s a big horse, very relentless and he’s always coming home. He’s by Justify and he has that big, long relentless stride.
“He always went like a Cup horse and Ryan thought the same there, so delighted really. He won’t over-race (himself) and that’s good really.”
Next up for Scandinavia is a race won by many of the great Irish stayers, including by Kyprios for the last two years.
The Ballydoyle trainer added: “The Saval Beg (at Leopardstown) is the plan, that is what we are thinking. In the Gold Cup you don’t know (about the two-and-a-half-mile trip), but we are looking forward to him. He has the class and it’s great to have him.”