Emitom returned to impressive winning form in the Unibet Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock.
Warren Greatrex's six-year-old bided his time under Gavin Sheehan in the rain-soaked heavy ground before overcoming a minor mistake at the final hurdle on the way to an eight-length victory as the well-backed 7-4 favourite.
Emitom had been disappointing on his belated first run of the campaign when last of six in Cheltenham's Relkeel Hurdle on New Year's Day.
But he retains an entry in next month's Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival - and has put himself right in the mix to take on defending champion Paisley Park.
He took advantage of a tame display from market rival The Worlds End, who faded out of contention after helping to set the pace for much of the extended three-mile trip - and then comfortably saw off the challenge of outsider Donna's Diamond, who was runner-up, and One Night In Milan.
Emitom runs out an emphatic winner in the Unibet Rendlesham Hurdle for Gavin Sheehan and Warren Greatrex 👏 pic.twitter.com/Fnu8djBm7v
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) February 15, 2020
A delighted Greatrex confirmed the likely plan is to head to the Stayers' Hurdle now.
"We're back in the game," said the Lambourn trainer.
"We've always known he was a very good horse. It was probably trainer error at Cheltenham - I undertrained him, to be honest. He'd had the (injury) blip and had only schooled twice - and he was just rusty.
"He's done everything well since. He's always behind the bridle and hits a few flat spots - but when you want him, he's there and Gavin said he's basically won on the bridle.
"Gavin said they went a proper gallop, and it was a proper test. He's jumped well, apart from the last, and was just idling on the run-in.
"He's only six and he's got the world at his feet."
Greatrex acknowledges Paisley Park will be a tough opponent for all at Cheltenham - but he is prepared to try.
"I'll speak to the owner and decide where we go, but I'd say he's in the Stayers' Hurdle picture now," he added.
"To beat Paisley Park will be a tall order, but he's an up-and-coming horse who does everything right.
"There is going to be more improvement in him. I've obviously won the Stayers' Hurdle before (with Cole Harden) - and they're totally different types -but this is a very good horse."
Smooth Stepper (33-1) stayed on through the mud to spring a surprise in the Unibet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
Alex Hales' veteran was the outsider of the 10-strong field, yet as others wilted in the extreme stamina test over an extended three and a half miles, Harry Bannister conjured a late surge after the last as the bottom weight outdid long-time leader Lord Du Mesnil.
Smooth Stepper, who does not have a Grand National entry, then held off the runner-up's rally to win by a length and a half - with another 19 back to favourite Yala Enki in third.
Smooth Stepper is a surprise 33/1 winner of the Unibet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase for Harry Bannister and Alex Hales pic.twitter.com/Oki2jTZtGa
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) February 15, 2020
