Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia returned to winning ways with a dominant display in the opening Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes on Newmarket’s July Course.

A commanding winner of a maiden at Navan on his reappearance in May, Aidan O'Brien's charge suffered a wide passage before plugging on to finish fifth when upped to Group 2 level in the one-mile six furlong Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last month.

Fitted with first-time cheekpieces and under an uncomplicated Ryan Moore ride, Scandinavia was sent off the 11/8 market leader and proved in a different league to his rivals on the opening day of the July Cup meeting.

Always well-positioned towards the fore under Moore, the striking son of Justify moved to the head of affairs passing the three-furlong marker before lengthening his stride to score by a facile eight and a half lengths from Nightime Dancer.

Paddy Power reacted by cutting the winner to 6/1 (from 20s) for the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster last in the season, with connections hopeful that he can make up into a smart staying performer.

Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick Smith, said: "He seems to have progressed nicely from Ascot. Ryan was very happy with him and said he's uncomplicated, he got into a lovely rhythm, and we could have some fun with him over those longer distances now.

"He was out wide for a long way at Ascot, but he bounced out of the race very well and really enjoyed the ground today.

"The Irish Leger and the English Leger, all those sort of races are open to him and he could be a Cup horse next year, perhaps. We can plot our way towards all those nice staying races at the end of the year now."