Goshen roared back to form - and into the Unibet Champion Hurdle picture - with a stunning victory in the Betway Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
Famous for his final flight exit with the JCB Triumph Hurdle in safe-keeping last March, he was too keen to do himself justice when disappointing in the International Hurdle on his return.
However he put that firmly behind him here - tracking Navajo Pass until going on turning for home.
Song For Someone stayed on for pressure from the rear of the field but was under pressure after jumping the third last and while he was nearest pursuer, he was chasing shadows in the closing stages.
Jamie Moore spent much of the home straight looking over his shoulders for dangers - of which there were none - aboard the winner as they cruised home, 22 lengths clear.
He's 5/1 from 16s with Betfair and Paddy Power for the Cheltenham showpiece, Sky Bet are 8/1 from 20s. All are non-runner/no bet.
Moore senior said: “I was very pleased, over the moon. I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I had him in a good place and fair play to Jamie. He told me when he worked him on Tuesday he would win.
“I was just hoping he would do what he has done today. It has to be the Champion Hurdle next. It has always been the target since last year. We’re hoping we can go there with every chance.
“Hopefully there’s a little bit of improvement to come from him. He settled lovely today. He doesn’t have to make the running, He just wants his own space.”
Equally thrilled was the winning jockey, who said: “It was a very rewarding performance. Just pleased to get him somewhere near his best for dad and the owners.
“We wouldn’t have run him if we didn’t think he was right. His last bit of work on Tuesday was very good and we’ve been happy with him. We wanted to go to Sandown a couple of weeks ago and it was called off. It’s good we’ve got a run into him.
“Dad has tried a different training regime with the horse and it’s worked. The horse has enjoyed it and we’ve got him fit in different ways.”
The jockey knows more still might be needed at Cheltenham, however.
“We’re going to look forward to the Champion Hurdle, but it’s going to be no easy task,” he said. “Epatante didn’t run great at Kempton, but it shows horses aren’t machines. Goshen came back today and she could come back at Cheltenham. We’re going to wait and hope he’s in good form on the day.”
Reflecting on the performance of Song For Someone, his trainer Tom Symonds has not ruled out the six year old from having a rematch with Goshen at The Festival, though hinted a step up to two and a half miles in the Aintree Hurdle could be the target.
He said: “Aidan (Coleman) said it was a bit like Cheltenham. He was never really happy with his position and here it looked like he couldn’t hold his position early on.
“It’s disappointing but I’m thrilled to see Goshen back. The ground is hard work to him and he was giving weight to him and they are not that far off ratings. I’m disappointed but it wasn’t meant to be on this track.
“He stuck on at the end but Aidan is not convinced he wants it as deep as this. It probably would (tempt me to go to Aintree). We’d like to find some better ground as Aidan just said his jumping is not as slick on this ground.
“I do think he is better than that. He has bumped into a horse that has returned to form. I wouldn’t rule Cheltenham out yet though.”