Kempes times it to perfection, trainer Mullins doesn't

Kempes produced an impressive performance to win the Navan Golf Club Open for Membership Novice Hurdle at Navan today, winning for trainer Willie Mullins who arrived late and missed the race.

Mullins subsequently reported "I missed the race and just heard the commentary on the phone - it sounded like he won well!"

He added "I was very worried about the ground with Kempes (who drifted from 4/6 out to 11/10) and told Paul (Townend, winning jockey) to hold onto Kempes until after the last hurdle and try not to get into a battle."

He added "Kempes will be entered in the Deloitte & Touche Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Hennessy Gold Cup day but I'm not sure if he'll run yet."

Kempes carries the colours of the Armagh based Three Cheers Syndicate, whose members include Armagh's 2002 Gaelic Football winning manager Joe Kernan.