I started with one of the two - apparently - possible methods, to check how far I would be with it. On the way, I saw I can save 2 steps but was too lazy to undo so I kept going and arrived... 2 off!
So I just redid it and cut the 2 steps I had ignored before, winning on 2nd try... Pure luck! LOL
Having completed Brian's Brain and Brian's Variation before this, this level was somewhat a breeze. But without those it would've been very difficult to see the right trick. Really cool level, though, and a nice optimal path found.