Scandinavia gamely fended off all challengers to record a third consecutive career win. Under the talented hands of Tom Marquand, who himself was riding his second Betfred St Leger (G1) winner, the dual Group 1 winner struck the front with two furlongs to go and held off the challenge of stablemate Stay True and the fast-finishing Rahiebb who ran a huge race to finish in second place. This was an eighth win in the oldest Classic of the British flat racing season for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
O’Brien got his afternoon off to a flyer as he also won the Betfred Champagne Stakes (G2) with the outsider of the field in Puerto Rico who made all the running to win by a length from Oxagon. The well-fancied and unbeaten Gewan failed to live up to market expectations and could only manage fourth of the five runners.
Jim Goldie enjoyed a third winner of the Betfred Portland Handicap courtesy of Eternal Sunshine under Lauren Young. Goldie won the race last year with subsequent Royal Ascot winner American Affair, and was delighted his 5-year-old mare was able to record a third consecutive career success.
The Betfred Park Stakes (G2) was won emphatically by Marvelman for Andrew Balding. The 3-year-old won with considerable ease under Oisin Murphy who has enjoyed a sensational few days on Town Moor. He finished just under four lengths clear of King’s Gamble who finished in second and Audience in third. The well-backed Shadow Of Light was underwhelming once again in what has been a fruitless 3-year-old campaign for the former Group 1 winner.
