FROM two wheels to four legs, it was back to business as usual at York Racecourse yesterday.

The course is staging a two day July meeting, its first event since the start of Stage 2 of the Tour de France last Sunday.

Under blazing sun there were crowds of people enjoying the spectacle.

The racecourse's James Brennan said crowds had topped 11,000 - almost exactly the same as last year's meeting.

Among them was regular racing fan Alison Marshall from Wigginton was there with her sister Julie Warriner from York, in an early 49th birthday celebration for Julie.

The pair had had a lucky day with five winners between them and Alison, who visits race meetings across Yorkshire, said: "We've had a great day, and some good winners. I like York Races for the glamour and the people watching. Even on a weekday there's always people very dressed up, they always make an effort at York."

With a positive forecast for today, Mr Brennan said they were hoping for crowds for 35,000 to watch the Queen's horse Bold Sniper run in the feature race, after a flypast by RAF Linton-on-Ouse, and with other attractions including a surf simulator and a cask ale tent.