NORTH YORKSHIRE trainer Karl Burke today insisted he had done nothing wrong after being arrested by police investigating the alleged fixing of horse races.

Middleham-based Mr Burke told the Evening Press he was "angry and a little bitter" at the way officers raided his home at dawn, and later arrested him in Thirsk after he took his wife, Elaine, for a surprise 20th wedding anniversary dinner.

Mr Burke was among 16 people detained by City of London Police in North and South Yorkshire and Suffolk on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

Champion jockey Kieren Fallon and North Yorkshire-based jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams were also among those arrested.

Mr Burke, 41, said he was taken to Northallerton Police Station before being released on unconditional bail.

Yesterday, detectives said the suspicion of corruption within horse racing and fixing the outcome of horse races formed the background to the searches.

As many as 80 races over the last two years are believed have been investigated.

A City of London Police spokesman said investigating officers seized a large amount of documentation and computer records for analysis.

Mr Burke said he would have to "bite the bullet" of bad publicity as he waited for his name to be cleared.

"I was away from the house when they (officers) came," he said.

"I had taken my wife out for a surprise meal to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.

"They came at 5am, but it wasn't until I checked with the office at 7.15am that I learned it was all going on.

"I offered to come back, but they told me to stay where I was. They came and picked me up from Thirsk.

"It was a complete surprise and I am very disappointed and very angry at how it was done.

"My name has been slapped all over the place, but I have got to bite the bullet and wait and go through the process."

Mr Burke said he was shocked to have been arrested, especially as he was on target to have his best year as a trainer - recently passing the 50-winner mark. He said he would be training today at Carlisle.

"I am a bit bitter it has happened the way it has," he said. "Inquiries have to be made but I have nothing to answer, I have done nothing wrong."

Kieren Fallon was expected back in the saddle today as police confirmed all 16 arrested were bailed to appear at London police stations in two months' time.

The inquiry has brought into question the role of betting exchanges, which allow punters to back horses to win and to lose. It is thought that one exchange, Betfair, had played a leading role in the investigation that led to yesterday's arrests.

The Jockey Club, which governs British racing, said the police investigation began following investigative work by the body's security department.

Mr Fallon, 39, has scored 161 successes this year and is on the way to his seventh jockeys' championship.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, September 02, 2004