Tommy Lyons: Charles Byrnes case a wake up call for trainers - but it's still a classic whodunnit

The conclusion of the Charles Byrnes appeal ought to have been a huge moment in Irish racing, but somehow it doesn’t feel quite so momentous

Charles Byrnes fell foul of the rules in relation to leaving a horse unattended in a stable yard but he is not a disqualified person and can continue to work in racing. Picture: Healy Racing

The conclusion of the appeal by racehorse trainer Charles Byrnes against the severity of the suspension of his licence and fine imposed felt like it ought to have been a huge moment in Irish racing, but somehow it doesn’t feel quite so momentous.

Byrnes lost the appeal so, if this is the end of the road for this particular case, we can summarise that a complicated story which involved nobbling and laying a horse has resulted in a trainer being sanctioned for leaving a horse unattended.