QUEEN fans need no reminder that Freddie and co released the bombastic but fantastic album A Day At The Races in 1976. Tomorrow evening, appropriately, tribute act Killer Queen play after the races at York Racecourse as part of the Music Showcase Weekend.

The Real Abba Gold perform this evening, the first day of what has become a two-day event after the success of last year's inaugural showcase when The Commitments provided a soulful finale to the Saturday meeting.

James Brennan, York Racecourse head of marketing and sponsorship, says: "We gave live music after racing a try for the first time in 2004, following the success other courses had enjoyed by staging it, and we were delighted with the reaction.

"We had a crowd of 21,000 at the afternoon meeting and several thousand stayed behind afterwards to hear the band, and we're therefore confident many people attending the meetings today and tomorrow will want to stay on, especially given the entertainment value of the bands we've booked."

The concerts begin at 6pm and end at 7.45pm, and the acts will be on a stage facing the stands. In addition, there are afternoons performances around the racecourse lawns, bars and restaurants, not least by York singer-songwriter Hayley Hutchinson, who will promote her Radio Two play-listed single, Here's The Love, and other tracks from her August 1 debut album, Independently Blue. She is scheduled to play at 5pm today and 1.30pm and 4.30pm tomorrow.

Admission prices to York Races today are £22 or £12; tomorrow, £29 or £17.

Updated: 08:53 Friday, July 22, 2005