Kempes preserves Mullins benefit

Willie Mullins’ hot streak shows no sign of slowing down as the Irish champion trainer saddled his seventh winner of the Christmas period when Kempes took the O’Dwyers Stillorgan Orchard Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The former Frances Crowley inmate overcame a couple of errors in the closing stages under Ruby Walsh to put his best foot forward on the run-in to oblige as the 6-4 favourite.