Bohemian Birch asserted in the closing stages to claim the bumper at Sligo for Willie and Patrick Mullins.

The Mahler mare had been third behind runaway winner Costalotmore on her debut at Listowel and was sent off 9/4 second favourite to open her account today.

She came to tackle 2/1 favourite Top Bandit turning for home after Gordon Elliott's newcomer had hit the front passing the two pole.

They settled down to fight it out in the straight and Bohemian Birch found more close home to record a three-and-a-half length success.

Patrick Mullins said:- "We like bringing our bumper horses to this track. It's got a great

uphill finish which is good and safe for them, and the ground here is always very safe.

"In Listowel we thought she maybe wasn't fully ready and we rode her, kind of, to run well and she's come on hugely from that.

"The extra trip suited her here and she stayed on well.

"Her owner Nigel King bred her as well so he deserves a lot of credit. He's had a lot of good mares and I think this one will give him plenty of fun.

"I'd imagine she'll go hurdling soon. I think she'll handle soft ground, maybe not heavy, and I think a trip will really suit her."

(Quotes by Mark Nunan)