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Non Runners: LIL ROCKERFELLER (USA). Hurdles: 10. Race Distance Adjustment: +42 yds

Time: 4m 47.3s Closing Sectional: (4.4f): 69.2s (94.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 99.5%

What looked one of the stronger recent renewals of the National Spirit was blown apart by Camping Ground, an enigma making his debut for a new yard, notching a winning margin seldom seen at graded level; his improvement has to be put into context against a host of below-par displays from his flagging rivals, but a time around 12s faster than that clocked by his winning stablemate in the following novice speaks most favourably of Camping Ground's performance, giving credence to what looks a top-class effort on the Timeform scale.

CAMPING GROUND (FR) had been seen for Robert Walford as recently as 8 weeks earlier yet proved a totally different proposition right away with a tongue tie left off on his first outing for this yard, a staggering display of galloping - in a fast time - that would have given any hurdler in training as much as they could handle, his fellow pace-setter left legless over half a mile out; he jumped and travelled with tremendous fluency, pressed on from the fourth and drew further and further clear from 3 out, even then merely kept up to his work in the straight; his 2 Cheltenham entries are in the Stayers' Hurdle (non-stayer) and the Coral Cup (from reassessed mark likely vastly higher), but on this showing an open Champion Hurdle would be his ideal Festival race, supplementing him still an option.

LE ROCHER (FR) faced a stiffer task in this grade and, despite a hammering on the scoreboard, probably ran up to or near his Uttoxeter handicap form, the margins involved more a reflection of a top-drawer performance by Camping Ground; in touch, went second early final circuit, driven end of back straight, plugged on, left behind by winner.

L'AMI SERGE (IRE) shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests but a demanding race - in which the winner went hard - exposed the growing doubts over his resolution, his threatening progress going to nothing, even Le Rocher leaving him trailing; waited with, smooth headway early final circuit, pushed along from 3 out, no response, faltered straight, finished tired.

THIRD INTENTION (IRE) back over hurdles, wasn't at all on a going day in a race that placed a premium on resolution; chased leaders early, never going well from before halfway, labouring circuit out.

DIFFERENT GRAVEY (IRE) ran badly enough to call his attitude - and certainly confidence - into question 12 weeks after his chasing career was put on the shelf following a similarly listless display at Cheltenham; in touch early, never going well from first, reminders after fourth, labouring badly early final circuit; perhaps it will emerge he wasn't right physically.

SHELFORD (IRE) ran even worse faced with another big ask after 11 weeks off; held up, never going pace, struggling circuit out.

ADRIEN DU PONT (FR) shaped much better than pulled up might indicate after 8 weeks off, paying the price for trying to match strides with the runaway winner; disputed lead until fourth, pressed leader until early final circuit, weakened from 4 out, beaten when clouted 3 out, went off too hard.