with leader, pushed along 3 out, 2 lengths down and looking held when left in lead and clear
led, 2 lengths up and looking in command when fell 2 out
chased clear pair, no impression from halfway, left remote 2nd 2 out
chased clear pair, never looked dangerous from halfway
Hogan's Height looked a very promising chaser when completing a hat-trick last season. He ran poorly on his first two starts this campaign but reverted to hurdles with a hard-fought victory over a trip too short here on New Year's Day. He has 6lb to concede to SHAMAN DU BERLAIS and that may just swing things the way of Tim Vaughan's charge. He was making his handicap debut when just failing to concede 21lb to Uno Mas at Fakenham, where he didn't get the best of runs, so compensation awaits. Trans Des Obeaux and Samba Time should fight it out for third with neither having shown any sign of ability so far.
Hogan's Height (IRE) 11-8 (11-2) Made most, joined 3 out, driven 2 lengths clear approaching next, ridden between last 2, hard pressed last, held on under pressure flat, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan beating Legalized (10-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Shaman Du Berlais (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in last, took keen hold, headway 3 out, not clear run and nowhere to go from after 2 out until before last when going 2nd, pressed winner flat, no impression close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Uno Mas (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Trans Des Obeaux 66-1 (11-2) Led narrowly, headed over 3f out, lost place when ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 33l behind Floating Rock (10-7) at Catterick 2m (5) gd in Feb.
Samba Time 50-1 (11-2) Prominent, slow 1st, lost place after next, soon mid-division, under pressure 6th, weakened next, tailed off, remote 4th, 4th of 8, dist behind Legalized (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
