by Thomas Hedlund

The field for Elitloppet is shaping up and Solvalla invited two horses late this week, one from Italy and one from France.

Cobra Killer Gar (Readly Express), trained by Erik Bondo will represent Italy and the 7-year-old gelding has dominated in his category in races in Paris and will enter Solvalla’s track with four consecutive wins at Vincennes in 2025. He is really a dark horse for next Sunday’s (May 25) Elitloppet.

French trotter Hussard du Landret (Bird Parker) is considerably more merited than his Italian opponent. The Benoit Robin-trained 8-year-old is used to the very big battles in Paris and he has claimed the $400,000 Prix de Paris in 2024. An exciting start waits for this strong horse.

In Gävle’s $80,000 Prins Daniels race, upsetter Global Etalon (Brillantissime), trained by Fredrik Wallin, proved best over the mile. A third inside-trip and racing room at the top of the stretch meant that Global Etalon could finish quickly and disarm leading favorite Double Deceiver and first-over Kentucky River shortly before the wire.

Replay here.

Wallin could not give a definitive answer whether he will race in Elitloppet next week. Global Etalon is 5 years old and fresh among horses he will (or will not) face at Solvalla.

Elitloppet invited horses can be found here.