The question marks over Sparta Maestro’s participation in tonight’s second semi-final of the Kerry Agribusiness St Leger at Limerick leave a lingering shadow over the race as a punting medium but, more importantly, over the stake as a whole.

The quarter-finals of the Kerry Agribusiness St Leger feature at Limerick track this evening and Skywalker Puma, who came out best in a hot second-round heat, looks to have a straightforward task in the last of tonight’s heats.

The withdrawal of Smoke Pixie from the quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks is a major blow to her connections following her stunning 28.31 run in dreadful conditions at Shelbourne Park last Saturday.