In one of the very finest of Gold Cups, Scandinavia (Justify) ousted Trawlerman (Golden Horn) to provide a fitting crowning moment for Aidan O'Brien as the Ballydoyle maestro reached 100 Royal Ascot winners.Rolling back the years to the tussles of Ardross and Le Moss, the 11-8 favourite needed every yard of the two-and-a-half mile trip to wear down the Gosdens' gallant title-holder and for most of it looked unlikely to do so. But, with Ryan Moore at his formidable best, Scandinavia got it done very late to add suitable drama and gravitas to his handler's momentous landmark.At the line, last year's St Leger hero had a head to spare over Godolphin's warrior supreme, with a yawning nine-length gap back to Sweet William (Sea The Stars) in third, most of which was created during that pulsating final furlong.Aix La Chapelle could have given O'Brien his big moment in the opener, but there may have been a case of fate playing its hand with the inevitable milestone delayed to this race which he has made his own more than any other at the meeting. To provide the cherry on top of the cake, this was also the trainer's 10th Gold Cup.“He should have won easier! I've had to work to get to Trawlerman, thought I had it and then had to go again. Trawlerman is a brave horse, he kept coming but my lad had enough,” Moore said of his fifth Gold Cup winner, who is half the age of the runner-up. “Aidan had him in a great place. He identifies these horses and brings them here absolutely jumping out of their skin and I'm lucky to ride them.”“The answer with Aidan is he won't care, he'll probably be thinking about the next 100, that's what separates him.”WHAT A FIGHT! SCANDIVANIA BEATS TRAWLERMAN IN A BRILLIANT GOLD CUP BATTLE! pic.twitter.com/aRhcoXrp7L— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2026The post Royal Century For O’Brien As Scandinavia Strikes Gold In Epic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.