Aidan O’Brien delight as battling Scandinavia gets job done

“That was lovely,” said Aidan O’Brien, “This is a perfect race to bridge the gap between the ‘Vintage Crop’ and the (Ascot) Gold Cup."

Fri, 15 May, 2026 - 21:45

John Ryan

Last season’s Betfred St. Leger victor Scandinavia was made work hard for victory when completing a five-timer in the Group 3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes in Leopardstown, Aidan O’Brien’s customary stepping-stone to the Ascot Gold Cup for his star stayers.

Having tracked Dallas Star, the 2/9 favourite edged ahead two furlongs out but was soon challenged by 104-rated Happy Pharoah.

Ryan Moore got serious on the favourite. But he found plenty and was in command close home, although only scoring by a half-length, with Le Destrier, a French import, making his Irish debut for Willie Mullins, an eye-catching third.

“That was lovely,” said Aidan O’Brien, “This is a perfect race to bridge the gap between the ‘Vintage Crop’ and the (Ascot) Gold Cup. Ryan was very happy with him.

“He relaxes and cruises in his races and, when he gets there, he waits, although he finds plenty. His work will get more serious now in the build-up to Ascot. It’s possible that the longer trip will bring improvement in him. I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Fozzy Stack struck with his first two-year-old runner of the season when Nola Soul, a strapping Justify colt, overcame his inexperience to wear down favourite King Of Cloughan in the opening seven-furlong maiden.

“He’s a nice horse and we’ve always liked him,” stated Stack, “He’s big and an early foal. He has come to hand sooner than we expected. He was just ready to start and should improve plenty.

“He did a lot wrong and still managed to win, which is a good sign. He’ll have no more than three or four runs this year and is one for next year. We’ll see how he comes out of this and decide where to go. And the further he goes the better he’ll be.”

In the frame in her two previous starts, on Dundalk’s polytrack, the Gavin Cromwell-trained 25/1 shot Full Moon Tonight swooped down the outside to foil market fancies Darin Heart and Suspicious Mindz in the one-mile median auction maiden.

Winning rider Robert Whearty said, “We met interference early but got into an okay position and travelled nicely. I was happy with the way she picked-up and hit the line – she’ll stay further.”

In the handicap action, the Ray Cody-trained Monvoe, up 10lb. for a recent win in Limerick, followed up in great style when, ridden by Reese Holohan, he slammed Ohmali by three lengths in the one-mile apprentice handicap.

And Kate Harrington declared, “Shane thinks a fast-run mile and a quarter is her gig,” after Diamond Exchange (Shane Foley) battled gamely up the straight to see off Casheldale Lass by a head in the ten-furlong fillies handicap.

She added, “She’s really tough and is a lovely likable filly. She got colic last summer and her owners have been very patient. She’s entered for Roscommon on Monday, so we’ll see how she is.”

And Sadhbh Tormey, who had earlier received a two-day careless riding ban, was seen to good effect when guiding the Paul Flynn-trained The Real Screamer (10/1) to victory over front-running favourite Touch The Moon in the concluding ladies race.

Meanwhile, in Kilbeggan, Littlefoot made it two wins from three starts over fences when capturing the featured Shanette Superior Space Handicap Chase, a first winner for trainer Mark Molloy since the passing of his father Tony last month.

Ridden by Donagh Meyler, he mastered Milan Forth on the run-in, prompting Molloy to comment, “He’s small, but all heart and guts and his jumping kept him in it. We’ll think about stepping him up in trip.”