Kempes shooting for Guinness glory

Kempes will bid to make amends for his Cheltenham flop in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown on May 4.

Willie Mullins’ Irish Hennessy winner was quietly fancied in last month’s Gold Cup but never featured and eventually had to be pulled up by Tony McCoy.

Kempes took Grade One honours as a novice at the last Punchestown Festival and Mullins would be delighted if he could now turn the corner.

“I was very disappointed with Kempes at Cheltenham – he didn’t run at all in the Gold Cup,” said the County Carlow trainer.

“We have given him a break and hopefully we will have him back, ready for Punchestown again.”