Ground books Festival ticket at Fontwell

Gary Moore could have another live Cheltenham Festival contender on his hands after Camping Ground made his stable debut a winning with with a scintillating success in the totepool National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

After joining the Lower Beeding handler around a month ago from Robert Walford, the seven-year-old took apart a useful field in the Grade Two prize to open his account for the campaign.

Disputing the lead from the start, the 9-1 chance pressed on into a clear advantage after the fourth flight, before galloping his rivals into the ground to cross the line a 29-length winner from Le Rocher in the two-mile-three-furlong contest.

The winner was cut from 40-1 into 20-1 for the Stayers' Hurdle by Coral, who also trimmed him to the same price from 33-1 for the Coral Cup.

Moore said: "His work had been good. When we have worked him I've been very careful to mind him. If he turned up as he did in the Relkeel when he won we knew he would win today, and he turned up similar to that day.

"We've played around with him. We've done everything we could and Robert Walford would have done exactly the same thing. Maybe it is just a change of scenery that has done him good.

"We've treated him like a good horse. A lot of effort has gone into him, believe me, from the staff at home.

"I know the owner is pretty keen to go for the Stayers' Hurdle. I think two and a half is his trip. He has got a very high cruising speed and he galloped them into the ground. I think three miles would be pushing him in my opinion."

The victory provided jockey Joshua Moore with his first success since returning from a lay-off following a fall at Huntingdon on St Stephen's Day.

He said: "He did it well. He has enjoyed himself. We know what he has been capable of before, as he showed at Cheltenham. Things have been perfect for him today. He has had his own way and been able to wind it up at his own tempo.

"The ground was lovely and that trip and track just suited him. That's what is impressive, as he has carried 11st 11lb.

"The whole way I just let him enjoy himself. He was probably a bit tired coming down to the last. It will certainly have done his confidence a bit of good, getting his head in front again.

"He is a very happy horse. I rode him in one bit of work and he worked very well. We hoped a change of scenery might help him out and that is what it has done."