Tyner avoids licence suspension over violation

Robert Tyner, who is set to call time on his career as a trainer, has narrowly avoided having his licence suspended after his winning horse Blustery tested positive for a banned substance.

Blustery won the Division 2 of the Templeglantine Handicap Chase at Limerick on 10 July last year but blood tests taken on the horse showed the precence of dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat a variety of conditions in horses, including lameness and respiratory disease, is prohibited by the IHRB under National Hunt Steeplechase rules.

He has been fined €5,000.

Tyner did not take up the option to ask for a B sample.

The horse won the 2 mile 6 furlong race at odds of 40/1.

In the immediate aftermath of the race, the stewards requested a report from Robert Tyner as to the apparent improvement in form of Blustery, placed first, as compared with its recent form.

The horse had been beaten by a minimum of 33 lengths in eight previous races

Mary Tyner, the authorised representative for Robert Tyner, stated that the better ground on the day coupled with a step up in trip had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in the horse's performance.

Blood tests later showed the corticosteroid in a report received from LGC Laboratories, Newmarket in England.

Doctor Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Head of Anti-Doping and Chief Veterinary Officer, gave evidence that Tyner administered the substance intravenously, having been left the product by his veterinary surgeon for the treatment of another horse.

That was documented in Tyner's medicine's diary.

Hillyer explained the seriousness of the trainer administering a prescription only medicine intravenously and added that it was an issue relating to relevant legislation whereby such activity must only