Kempes comes out on top in Nicanor clash

Report: Fairyhouse, Tuesday

www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie Beginners Chase 2m, 5yo+

SECOND-favourite Kempes came out on top in a cat-and-mouse clash with Nicanor after the 8-11 favourite got the last fence all wrong to hand victory to the Willie Mullins-trained 13-8 winner.

Nicanor, who famously lowered Denman's colours in the 2006 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, looked to hold a live chance in the informative beginners' chase, particularly as the form of his last-time-out second was franked by Irish Arkle winner An Cathaoir Mor.

However, the spoils went to Kempes, also a high-class performer in his hurdling days, as the pair covered each other's moves throughout the 2m chase.

Once long-time leader Oh So Humbel had departed at the third-last, the market principals took over, jumping the penultimate fence in tandem.

On the run to the final flight, Nicanor edged clear slightly and appeared to be travelling with more gusto, but he fluffed the last, handing the initative to Kempes, who took advantage for the Three Cheers Syndicate.

Mullins said: "He was possibly fortunate, but I'm happier he's jumping better now. He shows more respect to fences than he ever did to hurdles and there should bemore improvement when the ground dries out."

Boylesports shaved the winner's Arkle odds to 25-1 from 33-1.