An in-form handicapper who looks set to rack up a sequence and have Ballydoyle found the next Kyprios?

Aidan O'Brien's new staying star

Scandinavia shaped better than the bare result suggested when fifth in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last month and he took a step forward on that form when running out a decisive winner of the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket on Thursday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was sent off 11-8 favourite for the 1m5f Group 3 and, having been positioned handily throughout under Ryan Moore, the son of Justify stretched clear in first-time cheekpieces for an eight-and-a-half-length success.

Scandinavia: impressive winner of the Bahrain TrophyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Scandinavia was cut to a general 5-1 second favourite for the Betfred St Leger behind stablemate Lambourn following the win and, with the dual Derby winner’s participation in the Doncaster Classic far from assured, those odds look more than fair.

Ground softer than good would be an unknown for Scandinavia, but he shapes like a dour stayer and Doncaster should suit this relentless galloper down to the ground.

The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York could be the next port of call, while longer term the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot looks a likely target.

Following the Bahrain Trophy, Scandinavia’s co-owner Derrick Smith said he hoped the colt would “develop into a Cup horse for next year”.

With Kyprios retired, there appears to be an opening for a new superstar stayer at Ballydoyle, and the 12-1 about Scandinavia for next year’s Gold Cup looks an appealing long-term play.
Joe Eccles

Hughes’s Group 1 triumph should come as no surprise to anyone

No Half Measures’ Group 1 victory in the July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday was just another landmark in the fantastic career of Richard Hughes. A dual Classic-winning rider and three-time champion jockey, he registered his first top-level success since taking out his training licence in 2015.

The Lambourn man has enjoyed plenty of winners in the ten years since, including a couple of Group 3s and Listed races, but this Group 1 triumph should come as no surprise to those who have been following his career.

Richard Hughes: trainer of No Half MeasuresCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Between 2017 and 2024 Hughes averaged a total of 55 victories per season, while the prize-money acquired has continued to trade at a consistent level. Last season he posted his best return of winners with 64, with earnings of just under £900,000 in Britain, and he is on another upward trajectory this year after surpassing the £1 million mark.

Hughes would be the first to admit the search for a Group 1 winner has been a challenge, but Saturday was a gentle reminder he can do as good a job as anyone in the game.
Liam Headd

Whatsgoingonmarvin can rack up a sequence

Sir Mark Prescott is renowned for his ability to get lowly rated handicappers to run up a sequence of wins, and in Whatsgoingonmarvin he appears to have another horse who is a good deal ahead of his mark.

The son of Camelot showed little in four starts as a juvenile last year, but he was gelded over the winter and was stepped up to a mile and five furlongs for the first time for his seasonal debut at Ayr last Monday. That worked the oracle, with Whatsgoingonmarvin making all under Paul Mulrennan at odds of 100-30.

He was sent out under a 6lb penalty at Chester on Saturday – with apprentice Poppy Scott offsetting that additional weight – and, despite taking a keen hold in the early stages of his race, he again made all to score by half a length.

Whatsgoingonmarvin holds a few entries this week and it could be a while before the assessor manages to catch up with him.
Joe Eccles

Read more 

'Half a furlong out I couldn't believe where I was' - Callan and Hughes mastermind July Cup shock with 66-1 No Half Measures 

Eve Johnson Houghton upsets superpowers as rank outsider wins July Stakes before Aidan O'Brien rebounds with new St Leger second favourite 

Bitter disappointment for Charlie Appleby and Notable Speech: 'He didn't hit the line like we thought he would' 

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