WHERE would London pop star Jess Glynne rather be this evening?

Nowhere but the only evening meeting of the racing season at York Racecourse, where Glynne will perform her Music Showcase gig immediately after the 8.30pm sixth race. "It's going to be great fun," she said when her Knavesmire concert was announced in April. "I love outdoor shows and can’t wait to share the summer evening with my fans!"

In 2014, the Hampstead singer struck gold as the featured vocalist on Clean Bandit’s Grammy Award-winning chart topper, Rather Be, the first of five successive number ones for Glynne, a record-equalling feat that matched Cheryl Cole's achievement as the first British female solo act to enjoy such a string of hits.

Solo numbers Hold My Hand and Don't Be So Hard On Yourself and guest vocal contributions to Route 94's My Love and Tinie Tempah's Not Letting Go all made the top spot, as did Glynne's August 2015 debut album, I Cry When I Laugh.

A new album must surely be in the offing, but in being granted a phone interview with Glynne, The Press was asked to keep to ten minutes – fair enough – and "if we can keep to the live show, that would be appreciated, as her record label are currently working on exclusives for the album, so she is unable to answer any questions about that", her publicity company instructed.

A frustrating request, given that the arrival, imminent or otherwise, of new material is surely the prime question exercising the thoughts of Jess Glynne's fans, The Press responded. The publicist had been "specifically asked" by her management people to ensure the question wasn't asked as "they can’t have her giving anything away about it at this stage", he explained. "Surely the story is her love of horses and coming to York?" he suggested.

Well, horses and an evening in York it would have to be, then. Sorry, that's all folks, but here goes. Hello, Jess, have you done any of these racecourse shows before? "I've done a few last year; they were really fun. The only one I can remember the name of is Newmarket. I'm useless at remembering names!" she says.

"It's a totally different vibe. It takes you away from the commercial side, from the tours, the TV shows, the festivals; it's just about having a good time, people going to the races, having a drink, and because my show is so lively and upbeat, it's so perfect for me."

Glynne envisages performing up to a 90-minute set. "I'll have my whole band with me; a ten-piece," she says. "I have a brass section, bass, guitar, drums, everything but no strings!"

Right, let's talk horses, Miss Glynne. Do you enjoy the sport of kings? "I'm not a big racegoer but I'm a big lover of horses. I used to ride till I was 17-18, in London," she reveals, recalling her days of riding a horse who was "a bit of a wild one". "I did little showjumping competitions, and dressage too, and I enjoyed the showjumping more as I'm a risque girl!"

York Press:

"I'm a big lover of horses. I used to ride till I was 17-18," says Jess Glynne

She will make the most of her trip to York Racecourse. "I'm definitely going to spend some time there, including the races, and I always have a bet," says Jess, who also performed at Carlisle Racecourse on July 8.

Horses. Tick. Evening in York. Tick. It was time to chance the arm by asking Jess not about a new album per se, but about whether she had been in the studio. Her website makes mention only of I Cry When I Laugh, rather than news of any upcoming release plans and information online has been scant too, although one piece from last October mentioned Glynne has been working with regular collaborator Janee Bennett, German producer/songwriter Toby Gad, American electronic dance producer Skrillex and Canadian rapper/producer PartyNextDoor.

"I've been back in the studio, trying to get somewhere with the new music, to make sure the music is right," says Jess, without giving precise details. "There are big expectations but I just think about how I do the right record, with the timing being right, and as long as I like it, that's fine. You have to trust yourself on that."

Does 27-year-old Jess worry over trying to match her past feats? "To be honest, I try not to think about that. I try to be creative, how I feel on the day, as I open up my little soul," she says.

Will there be new music from Jess Glynne this year? "I couldn't say on that. I wouldn't want to put a time on it," she says. At no stage had the word "album" pass either set of lips.

Since this mid-June interview, however, the Sun has run a July 13 story with news of Hebden Bridge's finest, Ed Sheeran, co-writing two songs, Thursday and Woman Like Me, with Glynne for the new album in their first collaboration. Might she sing either in York? Find out tonight.

Jess Glynne plays York Racecourse post-racing after tonight's 6pm race card. Tickets for the race day, including Glynne's concert following the 8.30pm last race, are on sale at yorkracecourse.co.uk or on 01904 620911.

Jess Glynne also appears at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on August 11; doors open at 6pm. Box office: scarboroughopenairtheatre.com