The defending champion Aphelios was back in his very best shape on Sunday afternoon, as for the second year running he relegated Lord Mountbatten to second in the Pramms Memorial (L) at Jägersro. This time the winning rider was Jacob Johansen.
A year ago the margin between Aphelios (Kodiac) and Lord Mountbatten (Connect) was a length; this time it was halved after a thrilling battle up the straight, the two Norwegian-trained horses fighting side by side until close home, where Aphelios gained the final upper hand.
The first two had seven lengths back to Icon Bling (Lope De Vega), while Hans Andersen (Frankel) swapped last year’s fifth place for a fourth.
Zidane (Areion) then took the final prize ahead of Civilon (Hallucinate) and Pjerrot (Hard Spun).
Aphelios was rewarded with a first prize of SEK 350,000, taking his career earnings past four million in Swedish currency.
It was the seven-year-old gelding’s 16th career win, and it capped some anxious weeks for Annike Bye Hansen.
“I have been sleeping badly, because you always fear you have done something wrong when the season doesn’t start the way you believe and hope it will,” said the Norwegian trainer after the triumph.
Aphelios is owned by Väsby Häst AB.
