The Willie Mullins-trained Kempes defied a market drift when running out an impressive winner of the Grade Two Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase at Thurles.
The heavily-supported Jagoes Mills set out to make every yard and had the majority in trouble jumping three out, but Ruby Walsh brought Kempes (9-2) with a perfectly-timed run and he went on to score by four lengths after easing past the jolly at the last.
Walsh produced a strong drive to get Kempes' stablemate Cru home in front in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.
The complexion of the race changed at the second-last as the strong travelling Brave Betsy came down, leaving three vying for the lead. The 8-1 chance got her head in front on the run-in and held the renewed challenge of Ambrosia's Promise to win by half a length.
Walsh and Mullins endured different fortunes when the champion jockey was unshipped from hot favourite Dooneys Gate four out in the Cashel Chase.
That paved the way for Adrian Maguire's front-running Let Yourself Go (3-1) to make a successful return to action with a 23-length defeat of Tawnies
Maguire and jockey Shane Hassett completed a double when Whats Up Gorden caught Chasers Chance after the final fence to land the Bawntameena Novice Handicap Chase as a 7-1 shot.< Lurgan had enjoyed a slightly shorter break and showed the benefit of being freshened up in the Ballycahill Beginners Chase.
The 13-8 market leader flopped at Limerick over Christmas, but responded favourably to a positive Paddy Flood ride to cross the line 19 lengths ahead of O'Crotaigh.< Would You Do That (14-1) was outclassed in a Grade Three won by Moskova on her previous outing but found her level when coming from some way back under Sean Flanagan to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.
