Free entry at Naas

THE Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association is sponsoring the gate at Naas Racecourse next Thursday. The all-jumps card, the final one of the NH season at Naas, starts at approximately 2pm.

Punchestown preview RUBY Walsh will form part of a strong panel for a Punchestown preview night at the Ardclough GAA grounds in Co Kildare on Saturday, April 26th. Also taking part are Fran Berry, Kevin O’Ryan, Ian ‘Busty’ Amond and Bryan Cooper. Some surprise guests will make an appearance and there will be live music. Tickets are €25 and proceeds will go to Irish Injured Jockeys.

New Lockinge deal

BOYLESPORTS and Newbury Racecourse have announced a new partnership which will see the bookmaker become title sponsor of the £400,000 Lockinge Stakes until 2027. The sole Group 1 fixture of the flat season at Newbury. is on May 17th,

Solar plan refused

KILDARE County Council has refused to grant planning permission for a 236-acre solar farm near Kilcock in Co Kildare. The application included the construction of a battery energy storage system (BESS), a controversial technology which objectors say has the potential to cause massive environmental damage.