KEMPES MAY not have been the best jumper of hurdles last season but the presence of Ruby Walsh on his back at Clonmel this afternoon helps indicate much better things are expected of him over fences.

The former Ulster Derby winner kicks off his fencing career in the two-and-a-half-mile Beginners Chase and trainer Willie Mullins has already reported how Kempes treats the bigger obstacles with much more respect than hurdles.

In fact Kempes was a very decent novice over flights last season, earning a trip to Cheltenham, winning at Fairyhouse and chasing home Hurricane Fly at Punchestown. He wound up falling at Auteuil in May but overall, his hurdles record stacks up very well in today’s company.

Caim Hill is dropped in class after being pulled up in the Drinmore earlier this month. However, his jumping was not impressive there and Kempes can complete a Beginners Chase double for the Walsh-Mullins team.

Half an hour earlier Apt Approach will be widely fancied to improve on his own chasing debut when chasing home Swift Counsel to the tune of seven lengths.

The prolific For Bill, owned by the former Kerry GAA selector Donie Sheahan, can continue her winning ways when making her jumping debut in the mares maiden hurdle. She completed a bumper hat-trick with an impressive success at Navan last month and defeat today would be a surprise.

The ex-David Wachman-trained Leblon had little chance against the Triumph Hurdle favourite Alaivan at Gowran but can boost that form in the opener.