A first-time hood worked the oracle on Vivianite in race two earlier, and the addition of the ‘pacifier’ did New Identity no harm either when he came out on top in the Blacklion Dairy Discussion Group 40th Anniversary Apprentice Handicap (division one) at Killarney.

Denis Linehan rode New Identity (12s into 10s) and he got the best of an exciting battle with Time Queen (11/2 into 4/1) in the final quarter mile, eventually prevailing by a head.

"Everyone thought he wouldn't stay but we fancied him and he'll go hurdling now for the winter," said Michael Martin, son and assistant to his father, winning trainer Willie.

"He is very ground-dependant and we get very little racing out of him during the year because of ground. The jar is gone out of this and Denis gave him a super ride and got him to switch off.

"He's going to have a little future hurdling we think."

The Stewards enquired into an incident shortly after the stalls opened involving Storm Ranger ridden by G.P. Halpin, The Bittern Cry ridden by S.P. Davis, La Cumparsita ridden by D.M. Redmond, New Identity, ridden by D.P. Linehan and Getaway Queen ridden by K.J. Leonard, where it appeared interference had occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that D.P. Linehan was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended D.P. Linehan for 3 racedays.

The Stewards interviewed D.P. Linehan, rider of New Identity, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3 (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended D. P. Linehan for 3 racedays.

(TW & EM)