Here's a recent and relevant story that demonstrates how a top pro would approach the shot.
Cliff Joyner, obviously an amazing banks player, played this exact safe on Jose Parica at the Big Tyme Classic last weekend. It was hill-hill, and the safe was on the final 9 ball.
Here's a photo of the situation that led up to this. Jose was running out, but misplayed shape on the 9. This picture shows how he felt about the predicament:
After this photo, he tried the long bank, but missed, leaving Cliff in an awkward position, with the CB near the center of the foot rail, and the 9 about 4" off the first diamond of the long rail. That's when Cliff played the safe on Jose.
I was a little surprised to see Cliff play the safe, but he executed it perfectly. Jose again went for the long bank, but missed, and the CB scratched in the side.
Cliff went on to get 4th place.