Peking pays out in bumper

Peking To Paris proved the one for money in the concluding bumper at Gowran Park and duly did the business for the Mullins team.

Patrick Mullins produced the well backed 3/1 favourite (from 13/2 in morning) to lead turning into the straight in the two-and-a-half mile contest.

The Flemensfirth gelding was joined by Kilcooley Castle but that rival soon came off the bridle and couldn't match the eventual winner when he quickened at the furlong pole.

Willie Mullins' charge kept on well in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-quarter-length success.

Kilcooley Castle just held the late charge of Market Option to finish runner-up.

The winner had faded tamely at Cork on his last start in April having been placed on his first two runs.

"We always thought he would be good enough to win a bumper but he wasn't 100 per cent on his last two runs," said Patrick Mullins afterwards.

"He came right in the last month and the step up to two-and-a-half miles helped him.

"He'll make a good staying chaser in time but he'll probably go over hurdles first.

"He did a very good piece of work around two years ago but then got injured."

(On course reporting by Donal Murphy)