Bertram Allen was in top gear this evening with Molly Malone V as the pairing won the Volkswagen Cup speed class at the Swedish International Horse Show in Stockholm, netting a brand new car at the same venue where he claimed a three-car haul last year.

Allen and Molly came home in 58.37, just 0.08 of a second better than Belgian runner-up Nicola Philippaerts on Ustina Sitte.

“This is a super event and it’s not easy to get into the starting line-up”, said the delighted Irish rider afterwards.

Local favourite Malin Baryard-Johnsson took third on H&M Cue Channa 42. “I got an extremely good start yet I was a second slower than Bertram”, said the Swedish rider.

Last year at the same venue Allen acquired three new cars after two victories on board Quiet Easy – the Volkswagen Cup and the Grand Prix – and being named leading rider of the show.

Mike Dunne