The nine-year-old gelding produced one of the runs of the Brierly Steeplechase to surge from last to second behind runaway winner Thubiaan.

Jockey Brad McLean made his move after the Tozer Road double, narrowly avoiding Undergroundfighter which fell at the next fence and took out Nishiazabu.

But Jervois ($12) couldn't reel in top-weight Thubiaan ($2.45) despite taking all the shortcuts in the run home. King Triton ($10) was third.

"We were just beaten by a better horse," Jarrod McLean said. "I always thought he'd be the strong one late.

"But as I said on Sunday, we were half-hoping Thubiaan would make a mistake but he didn't, he was faultless, the best horse won.

"No excuses, beaten by a better horse, our guy ran terrific."

McLean said the tactics were always to "let the speed go and try and be strong late". "It worked out that way but the favourite was too good".

He said Jervois would return home to prepare for the Australian Steeplechase at Ballarat on May 31.Contesting the Grand Annual Steeplechase tomorrow was an option, but an injury sustained in the Von Doussa Steeplechase last month ended those hopes.

Jervois ran third to Thubiaan that day, with the pair split by Lord Of The Song, but emerged worse for wear.

"We had a little injury at Oakbank five weeks ago so he missed serious work to run the 5500 (metres)," McLean said.

"It's hard to come into races on setbacks. We're lucky we're here today.

"We'll have a look at the Australian in three weeks' time but we need dry ground. It just depends on what's around."

The placing was Jervois' sixth from 13 starts over jumps, to go with four wins. King Triton took its record to seven wins and seven places from 24 jumps starts.