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The Skyfarmer showed his appreciation for a quicker surface when opening his account over fences in the Oakley Coachbuilders Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Newbury.
Having failed to convince on his previous three outings over the larger obstacles, the seven-year-old looked a reformed character on his first run since Boxing Day.
Always travelling well in the hands of Richard Johnson, the 7-2 chance jumped with real enthusiasm to hold off the late bid of 11-4 favourite Wuff by two lengths.
The win completed a double for Johnson and trainer Philip Hobbs after the earlier success of Rock The Kasbah.
Johnson said: "We always knew he wanted better ground and unfortunately in his three previous runs the ground was not right, and that is why he hasn't been seen out since Christmas.
"It has just taken a bit of time to get his confidence together, but today the further he went the better he jumped. He is only a young horse and hopefully there is more to come from him on better ground."
Rock The Kasbah got the better of a thrilling finish to land a narrow victory in the Emma Lavelle Racing Novices' Hurdle.
Passing long-time leader Coologue at the third-last, the 7-1 shot soon had the attentions of the smooth-travelling Inner Drive to worry about and looked to have surrendered his chances of victory after making a bad mistake at the last, but he rallied to get up by a nose in the final stride.
Hobbs said: "I thought we were beaten, but my wife (Sarah) backed him as we thought he was a ridiculous price.
"Although he has form on the soft, maybe it was too soft last time. Richard thinks the better ground helped him. It was a big advantage that he won a boys' hurdle race, so he didn't have a penalty to carry. We will have a rethink and see what we will do next, but he will go chasing next season."
Shuil Royale made it two wins from as many appearances this season after defying top weight in the Pheasant Inn Handicap Chase.
Given a patient ride by Ryan Mahon, the 9-2 shot moved into contention approaching the third-last and took the lead after a solid jump at the penultimate fence, from where he was kept up to his task to score by three and a quarter lengths.
Winning trainer Harry Fry said: "That was quite a relief as that was my first winner for 14 days. It was a good win for Shuil Royale from 7lb higher, while Ryan Mahon gave him a lovely ride. We will try to find a bit more improvement, as we will have to, but you can't ask any more than that."
Sam Twiston-Davies earned every penny of his riding fee when partnering Rally to glory in the Hawk Inn Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old looked to be a sitting duck entering the home straight as Hinton Road moved up in eyecatching fashion in behind the 14-1 chance, but Rally continued to find plenty for pressure while his opponent offered little off the bridle. After safely negotiating the last, Rally maintained his healthy advantage to post an eight-length success.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "That was a fairly inspired ride by Sam. It was the last chance for the horse today as he had been disappointing and we had run out of excuses for him."
