Scandinavia Wins Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, Beating Illinois in Thrilling Finish

Scandinavia upstaged his stablemate Illinois to land the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup under Wayne Lordan, in a race marred by a fatal injury to 2021 hero Trueshan.

Gold Cup runner-up Illinois started favourite to take the race for Aidan O'Brien and was the chosen mount of Ryan Moore.

The pair duelled for the lead through the final quarter-mile and it was Ballydoyle's improving Scandinavia (4-1) who landed the 2m contest by three-quarters of a length from the 7-4 favourite on his first run in Group 1 company. Sweet William (4-1) was another two and a half lengths away in third.

It is not the first time Lordan has landed a big prize on a mount passed over by Moore and last month he collected the Derby on the yard's apparent second-string Lambourn.

Scandinavia himself is now in the Classic picture as he was made a 5-2 shot (from 100-30) for the St Leger by Paddy Power.

Wayne Lordan: more big-race success Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Lordan said: \"This horse has improved all year. He was stepping up to two miles today against the older horses.

\"It's a tough task but I thought he stepped forward quite well. He was hanging onto a little bit even when he got there so I think there's plenty of improvement to come. Today was going to find out how smart he is and he's obviously a very smart stayer.

The jockey added: \"It's a tough game, you just take your opportunities, I'm grateful to have them and thankfully I'm able to deliver - but it's easier to deliver it when you've got horses like this underneath you.\"

O'Brien has now won the Goodwood Cup five times, having landed it twice each with top-class stayers Yeats and Kyprios in the past.

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According to the source: Racing Post.