Scandinavia is poised to triumph in the Ascot Gold Cup (4.15pm) on the third day of Royal Ascot 2026. Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old son of Justify is expected to shine in the 2m4f Group One feature. After finishing fifth in the Queen's Vase last year, Scandinavia has since won five consecutive races, including the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster and the Group Three Bahrain Trophy. He also defeated older horses, including stablemate Illinois, in the Goodwood Cup.
Scandinavia's Path to Glory
Scandinavia ended 2025 with a victory at Town Moor over Rahiebb, who recently won the Yorkshire Cup. This season, he has returned with back-to-back wins in the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes and the Group Three Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes. While both wins were over 1m6f, Scandinavia must prove his stamina over the longer Gold Cup distance. However, he appears to be the rising force in the staying division. O'Brien, a record nine-time Gold Cup winner with horses like Yeats and Kyprios, is seeking a new star to replace the retired Kyprios.
Key Rivals
Scandinavia faces strong competition from Rahiebb, trained by Roger Varian, and last year's winner Trawlerman, trained by John and Thady Gosden. George Scott's Caballo De Mar is also a contender. Nevertheless, Scandinavia is expected to secure his sixth straight victory since last year's Ascot defeat.
O'Brien's Potential Milestone
O'Brien is closing in on 100 Royal Ascot winners. After victories with Great Barrier Reef and Mission Central on Tuesday, he may reach this milestone on day three. Composing, his stablemate, can give O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore a fourth straight win in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40pm). The filly, by Wootton Bassett, won the Debutante Stakes last season and should improve over 1m4f.
Other O'Brien Contenders
Aix La Chapelle can win the Listed Chesham Stakes (2.30pm) after an impressive debut. Endorsement, another Wootton Bassett colt, is favored in the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes (5.35pm). He finished second to subsequent Derby hero Christmas Day and won the King George V Cup at Leopardstown.
Joseph O'Brien's Chance
Joseph O'Brien's Cannes looks strong in the King George V Stakes (3.05pm). The Sea The Stars colt won a maiden at Leopardstown last month and can build on that performance.
Other Selections
Organise, trained by the Gosdens, can win the Britannia Stakes (4.50pm) after two wins and a second in three starts. Dance In The Storm, trained by Andrew Balding, can take the Buckingham Palace Stakes (6.10pm) after a win at Chester and a fifth at Epsom.
Wright Ones: Day Three Selections
- 2.30pm: Aix La Chapelle
- 3.05pm: Cannes
- 3.40pm: Composing (NAP)
- 4.15pm: Scandinavia
- 5.00pm: Organise
- 5.35pm: Endorsement
- 6.10pm: Dance In The Storm
