Kempes will take his chance in the williamhill.com Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next week after pleasing trainer Willie Mullins.
Ruby Walsh, who partnered the six-year-old in a post-racing spin at Leopardstown on Sunday, will take the mount in the Festival opener, for which he is a best-priced 16-1
However, Ladbrokes were impressed with his efforts at Leopardstown and have trimmed the 2006 Ulster Derby winner into just 8-1.
Mullins said: "He needed the gallop badly and I didn't realise just how much he did need it.
"He will do plenty of work before the Festival, but he can take his work.
"He will run in the Supreme and Ruby will ride him."
Kempes could be joined in the Supreme by last year's Cheltenham bumper winner Cousin Vinny, but Mullins will hang fire on any decision on his target until nearer the time.
The six-year-old heads the Supreme ante-post market and is also prominent for the Ballymore Properties' Novices' Hurdle.
"I will probably confirm him at the next entry stage for both races and we will make a decision near the time," added Mullins.
The pair will form part of a 20-strong team of horses from Mullins' County Carlow base, with RSA Chase favourite Cooldine and Irish Independent Arkle Trophy entry Golden Silver bang on target after their workouts on Sunday evening.
Cooldine and Golden Silver worked with Scotsirish, who will also make the trip to the Cotswolds next week.
"I was pleased with the way he jumped and galloped and he might just run in the Champion Chase," said Mullins.
"I also have him in the Ryanair and he ran a good race in the Arkle last year.
"Jayo didn't jump too well when he schooled (on Sunday) and he won't be going for the Arkle."
Doubts have surrounded Mikael D'Haguenet's participation at Cheltenham due to his liking for soft ground, but the five-year-old is likely to travel in a bid to stretch his winning run to five.
"I am praying for a bit more rain, but he is certainly in the picture," said Mullins.
"He is in the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett, and he is still in the Supreme as you never know what is going to happen.
"If there was a lot of rain he could switch to that race as he has a lot of speed."
With 14 entries in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the champion trainer will "run as many as get in", while Quevega will bid to follow up her eyecatching seasonal bow at Punchestown in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle.