made all, pushed along when not fluent 6th, hard driven approaching 3 out, driven clear next, stayed on well
tracked winner, not fluent 3rd, effort 3 out, soon under pressure, never able to challenge
DURSEY SOUND has a few pounds in hand on official figures and is handed the vote in what is likely to be a tactical battle. He's had his jumping problems and was beaten a long way when runner-up to Corrin Wood over the course and distance in December but the winner went on to land a much better race at Warwick and is useful. The latter is trained by Donald McCain, who has the selection's two rivals entered here. Beeves made a winning start to his chasing career at Carlisle in October but his last couple of runs haven't been quite as convincing. Bit Of A Jig looked a real staying type when scoring over 3m3f at Sedgefield so may not be suited by this quicker track.
Bit Of A Jig (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead before last, kept on well towards finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov chs (4) gs in Dec beating Rev It Up (11-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
Dursey Sound (IRE) 11-8 (11-5) Tracked clear leader (winner) from 3rd, hit 11th, close up 4 out, driven and outpaced before next, no chance in clear 2nd before 2 out, 2nd of 3, 23l behind Corrin Wood (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Beeves (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) With leader, jumped left 5th, led 7th, headed briefly after, headed before 11th, ridden before 3 out, outpaced 2 out, kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Victor Hewgo (11-0) at Doncaster 3m nov chs (4) gs in Jan.
