FOR the third time this year Naas Racecourse is offering free admission on Sunday.

The progressive Co Kildare track always traditionally offers free admission for its August bank holiday meeting and, in January, when Naas had to cancel its Grade 1 raceday due to fog, the meeting was rescheduled for five days later and admission was free. The gates were thrown open again in mid-April when a jumps card had to be rescheduled due to heavy rain.

Now Naas is offering the public another free day’s racing tomorrow (Sunday) for its Royal Ascot Trials Day. The gesture is to mark the racecourse’s ‘official’ 100th birthday. The card includes two Group 3 races and two listed races, all sprints.

Asked how Naas Racecourse can afford to let punters in for nothing, chairman Dermot Cantillon said: “The business model has changed for racecourses. When I first got involved, many moons ago, entrance fees were the main source of income. But now media rights provides the vast majority of racecourse revenue and the gate receipts are way down the list.”

Cantillon says more racecourses should give it a try. “You can’t make it free every day - you have to place some value on your product - but this is a special occasion for Naas Racecourse. Some tracks have given free admission on ‘industry’ days or low-profile fixtures. But I’d love to see a track open the gates for a significant day’s racing. At Naas we get a commission on the takings in the bars and restaurants, so If you get a big crowd the catering commission can offset what you lose in ticket sales.”

The Adrian Murray-trained Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte will begin his season in the Group 3 Goffs Lacken Stakes. His opponents include the Jessica Harrington-trained Givemethebeatboys, who was sold for £1.1m at the Goffs London Sale on the eve of Royal Ascot last year and will attempt to follow up his recent Navan win here.

A field of six runners will face the starter for the Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes. This Group 3 contest was won last year by Porta Fortuna before going on to win the Albany Stakes.

Aesop’s Fables, third in both the Prix de l’Abbaye and the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, heads the field for the Sole Power Sprint Stakes.

The opening Coolmore Stud Calyx Race was won by River Tiber last year before his Royal Ascot triumph. Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore will this time try to repeat the feat with Treasure Isle, who was second on debut.

Five of Sunday’s races will be shown on RTÉ and three will be televised by ITV.

Preview >> 57 | Card >> 62-63