Aidan O’Brien enjoyed a one-two in Tuesday’s Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup courtesy of Scandinavia’s battling victory over stablemate Illinois.

In a race that was marred by the fatal injury of Alan King's fan-favorite stayer Trueshan, who landed the contest in 2021, Scandinavia came home strongly in the hands of Wayne Lordan.

Aidan O'Brien looked like he was holding all the aces, with Ryan Moore opting to ride the proven Ormonde Stakes scorer Illinois and Ascot Gold Cup runner-up over the progressive three-year-old Scandinavia, who arrived on the Sussex Downs on the back of an emphatic eight-and-a-half length success in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last month.

Ryan Moore opted to take the bull by the horns on Illinois from an early stage but as he started to go through the gears on the 7/4 market leader, it quickly became apparent that Scandinavia wasn't going to lie down without a fight.

The pair had it between them throughout the final quarter of a mile, continuously trading blows, with Illinois scrapping away towards the inside as Scandinavia moved firmly upside on his outer.

Illinois continued to give generously for Moore once headed but he never looked like he was getting back on terms with Scandinavia, who edged to the front close home before going on to score by three quarters of a length. Sweet William finished back in third.

"I'm delighted," said O'Brien. "Wayne gave him a brilliant ride. He ran a lovely race at Ascot when Wayne rode him, as he got trapped six wide all the way, but he kept coming and coming, and then Ryan rode him at Newmarket and said he was a very good horse.

"He said he stays forever and he's very classy. He's a typical Justify. They just won't lie down. They are Galileo's, but have more class, and he showed there exactly what they are. They keep putting their head out, keep going forward, and they are so genuine. I'm just delighted for everyone really."

The three-year-old son of Justify was cut to 5/2 (from 10/3) for the St Leger with Paddy Power, who were immediately forced to make him their 7/4 favourite after Aidan O'Brien revealed he looked 'ready-made' for the final British Classic of the season.

He added: "Obviously Lambourn didn't go to the King George because Jan Brueghel was going there, so he has his eye on the Voltigeur, and then he could go anywhere after that - to an Arc or a St Leger.

"All of those things are open, but I'd say this horse looks ready-made for the St Leger as he stays forever, handled an ease in the ground here today, and he's very straightforward."

Trueshan was pulled up sharply by Hollie Doyle at the halfway stage, but the news later emerged that the injury he had suffered was a fatal one.