ROBBIE Burns has taken over the training of all the horses previously trained by Charles Byrnes while the latter serves a six-month suspension.

Burns is based in Collinstown, Co Westmeath, but told The Irish Field he is now based full-time in Byrnes’ yard in Ballingarry, Co Limerick. He said: “I know Charles a long time and am happy to help out. His son Cathal will assist me and Charles is not involved. We have managed to keep all the existing owners on board and hopefully we will have some good luck. I have also taken a barn for my own horses.”

Last Friday the Byrnes-owned Thosedaysaregone won a flat maiden at Dundalk, trained by Ballingarry restricted trainer Willie O’Doherty. However, that appears to have been a temporary arrangement while Burns finalised arrangements with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

Thosedaysaregone is now listed as trained by Robbie Burns and is entered for a valuable handicap hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. Burns has entered Off You Go and Doctor Duffy in the Irish Grand National.

Last month Byrnes was suspended for six months having been adjudged to have facilitated the doping of his horse Viking Hoard at Tramore in 2018. There was no evidence to suggest Byrnes was involved in either the doping of the horse or betting against it to win, but he was found to have left the horse unsupervised for an unreasonable period.

Byrnes is not a disqualified person and remains permitted to work in racing. While racing is behind closed doors, he can still attend races if nominated by a trainer as an authorised representative or registered as stable staff.

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