Drawn early in the 15-strong jump-off for the sixth leg of the tour, the northern rider laid down the gauntlet by delivering the first double clear round of the day. Taking every short option on the course to pile the pressure on the remaining combinations, Hogg was rewarded for his efforts with a time of 35.09 seconds to win the bulk of the €2,500 prize fund sponsored by Portmore EC.

Speaking after his victory, Hogg said: “Interpreter is in really good form and although he’s always been competitive, I’ve just found him to be so much stronger this year.”

He also praised course designer Rafael Suarez for the jump-off course.

“It was very clever course building. There were three options on the course to take an inside turn. I was fifth to go out of fifteen so I thought, all I can do is take all the turns and put pressure on the rest. I’m lucky, the horse is with me all the way, he’s always ready for instructions,” said the rider.

By Cruising, Interpreter is out of a Diamond Rock dam and was bred by Co Offaly man David O’Brennan. Purchased as a foal by Edgar Hogg, the home-produced gelding has become a dependable performer. Exceptionally consistent in 2010, Interpreter won the five-year-old studbook series league and continued to impress in the six- and seven-year-old divisions.

Last year, Hogg and the now nine-year-old gelding continued their upward trajectory, stepping up to premier league level and also featuring in the national Grand Prix at The Meadows EC.

“I’ve always found with Cruising horses that they keep improving every year. If they are brought on slowly and produced the right way they come out and surprise you each year,” remarked Hogg.

Meanwhile, Conor McEneaney recorded his fifth consecutive double clear round with Moonlite Cavalier to take the runner-up position at Portmore. The young rider had the advantage of a late draw and delivered a tactical round, finishing in 38.66.

McEneaney and the eight-year-old Cavalier Royale stallion have been remarkably consistent throughout the spring tour. McEneaney has been in the top three on four occasions, including a win in Killossery Lodge Stud, while Moonlite Cavalier is currently well ahead in the Castlefield Sporthorses seven- and eight-year-old section on a total of 23 points.

Having been top of the spring tour leaderboard following their victory at Killossery Lodge, the pair remains in contention on 37 points after Portmore.

Sven Hadley made it through to timed decider with all three of his mounts and managed a profitable day, finishing third, fourth and sixth. Playing pathfinder on the nine-year-old gelding Cassinitine, Hadley recorded a time of 40.08, albeit with four faults.

Hadley eased off the pace with the 12-year-old OBOS Quality-sired Cassana, to deliver a fault-free round in 45.44. Upping the pace once again with Quanbell, the young rider left Rafael Suarez’s course exactly as he found it in 40.43.

Hadley, on site for the weekend at Portmore, was on form for the entire three days. Placed in nearly every outing, Hadley had an impressive one-two-three victory in Sunday’s £1,500 1.30m Portmore Grand Prix.

Christopher Megahey put his first points on the board by slotting into fifth position in the spring tour with the eight-year-old Lauriston-sired Rickamore Royal. The pair has been unlucky in previous rounds of the tour, with a single error denying them a spot in the jump-off. However on Saturday, they put in a fault-free first round and were the fastest of the four-faulters, logging a time of 39.76.

James Hogg had sharpened his competitive edge earlier in the day by triumphing in the 1.20m class with Indicator. The eight-year-old gelding is a full brother to the spring tour winner Interpreter.

“He’s not just as talented as Interpreter but he is a real winner,” said Hogg of Indicator.

Hogg also slotted into third place with the seven-year-old Ard VDL Douglas mare, Almost Persuaded. Ensuring Hogg didn’t take the one-two was Catherine Thornton, taking the runner-up position with MHS Super Trooper.

Sven Hadley was the fastest in the 1.10m with the 13-year-old Iroko mare Utha. Just off the mark in second place was Stephen Gibson with Milford Cool Flyer, while Conor McEneaney filled the next two places in the line-up with Zeedam De Royale and Hold Steady.