Hors La Loi III thrust himself back into the reckoning for the Cheltenham Festival as he found plenty of his old dash at Wincanton today.
Back in action for the first time since November, he showed plenty of spirit to see off Auetaler in the Axminster 100 Kingwell Pattern Hurdle.
But connections are still undecided whether to pitch Hors La Loi in against hotpot Istabraq in the Champion Hurdle or take the easier option of the Stayers' Hurdle.
Hors La Loi III is offered at 14-1 for the Champion Hurdle and 10-1 for the Stayers'. The Tote quote 16-1 for the Champion Hurdle.
Unfortunately the victory was missed by owner Paul Green who was fogbound at his base in Jersey.
But his stepson and racing manager Nick Walker said: "This shows that there's some sparkle there.
"He's had lung problems but it seems like he is over them now.
"The track at Cheltenham should suit him better and now we've got something to look forward to."
Hors La Loi III, ridden by Dean Gallagher, did well to take the honours as the race was not run to make best use of his stamina.
He looked booked for second place when narrowly headed by Auetaler at the second last.
But he was back in front again after the final flight and courageously held off Auetaler by half a length.
The result was not a good one for Auetaler's trainer Martin Pipe as he had also been responsible for Hors La Loi before that horse was switched to Francois Doumen.
Doumen's son Thierry admitted that the horse has needed plenty of attention since blood was found in his lungs after his last outing at Auteuil in November.
"It's been a hard job for my father to get him sorted out and we've been a bit short of time to get him ready for Cheltenham," said Doumen jnr.
"It was a big test today and we're quite happy with the way things have worked out.
"He's bred to need a distance so it might be difficult for him in the Champion Hurdle."
Gallagher, however, appears to prefer going for glory in the premier hurdle.
"He felt really good today and you should never really be frightened of taking on one horse," he said.
Spendid came back to his best after a below-par effort to secure victory in the Jim Ford Challenge Cup.
He stretched away in the home straight to defeat Escartefigue by five lengths with a neck back to the winner's stablemate Mulligan.
Spendid is entered in both the Gold Cup and the William Hill Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival.
"I'll have to talk it over with the owner about Cheltenham but I do know this horse has the Whitbread Gold Cup written all over him," said trainer Alan King.
"The ground was holding and he didn't like it at Haydock. That's the best I've seen him jump today. He does nothing flash but he's pretty effective."
King added that Mulligan is unlikely to take up his entry in the Gold Cup.
Escartefigue still remains a possible for the Gold Cup but trainer Paul Nicholls indicated that his charge is more of a Grand National challenger. Ladbrokes have cut him to 25-1 (33s).
King of Sparta, ridden by Chris Maude, came back after a long absence to secure the Tote Credit Club Handicap Chase.
He is now Cheltenham-bound with the Mildmay of Flete Chase his target.
Maude completed a double when Leaburn pipped Zabadi a short-head in the Georgie Newall Novices' Chase.
Leaburn may switch to handicap company at Cheltenham with the Grand Annual Chase his objective.
Gallagher teed up a double when Royal Snoopy obliged in the Ilchester Handicap Hurdle.
