Sparta Maestro is 10-1 second favourite for Derby glory with sponsors Ladbrokes after a powerful display in the final of the Larry Dunne Open 525 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

There could hardly have been a better line-up for the Betfair 600 final, which will be featured on RTE’s first live telecast of the year on Saturday night from Shelbourne.

The dreadful weather conditions yesterday made things difficult for some trainers heading for the English Derby at Wimbledon which starts tomorrow night with 11 Irish runners in action in the first session.