Last year's St. Leger Stakes (G1) winner Scandinavia will face 10 rivals when he bids to land another group 1 success in the 2 1/2-mile Gold Cup Stakes (G1) June 18 during the Royal Ascot meeting at Ascot Racecourse.
The son of Justify , racing for the Coolmore-affiliated partners of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Mrs. John Magnier, has won his two warm-up races this spring, extending his win streak to five, and is a hot favorite to give Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 10th victory in the race.
But the 4-year-old faces another clash with Rahiebb, who was just a neck away in second place in the St. Leger and who landed the Yorkshire Cup Stakes (G2) on the Knavesmire last month.
Jockey Ray Dawson is looking forward to the rematch and told the Racing Post last week: "Rahiebb looks great, he's very strong and we're going there hopeful.
"He's matured mentally and the biggest positive from York was how much he enjoyed it. He raced very maturely and, if he can do that at Ascot, then hopefully he can be bang there."
The 11-runner field declared June 16 also includes Godolphin's Trawlerman, who won the Gold Cup last year and is out to become the first repeat winner since Stradivarius landed his third success in 2020.
Godolphin also runs Dubai Future, who beat returning Sweet William by a neck in the Henry II Stakes (G3) at Sandown Park last month.
