LADIES are being advised to remember their hat pins before setting off to a blustery Knavesmire for the first day of racing in York this year.

More than 30,000 people are expected to descend on the city for the three-day May Festival, bringing with them a much-needed boost for York’s publicans, hoteliers and restaurateurs.

Bosses at York Racecourse say they are looking forward to an exciting year ahead after a turbulent two years that has seen the venue suffering floods and fire chaos, including the cancellation of the entire 2008 Ebor Festival.

Marketing manager James Brennan said they were pleased to unveil a £2.5 million track work improvement scheme, including a new irrigation and drainage system that they hope will be able to cope with whatever weather Mother Nature throws at them.

“There have been some positive reports in the media that it’s going to be a long, hot summer, which would be absolutely super,” he said.

“But with our new drainage and irrigation scheme in the track, we are confident we can manage the ground whether it’s a wet period or a dry period.

“The team have put in sterling efforts through the various challenges we have faced over the past two years and, as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Obviously, we would love a year where people are talking about the fantastic horses and we are enjoying some summer sunshine while sitting on the lawn sipping a glass of champagne.”

As for today’s weather, Mr Brennan said they are looking forward to dry, but windy conditions.

“The Met Office is 85 per cent confident we will get through the week without any rainfall, but it might be a bit blustery, so ladies are advised to wear hat pins,” he said.

The racing highlights of today’s meeting include the £65,000 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, where the Queen will be hoping for a winner with her horse, Enticement.

Meanwhile, the biggest prize money of the day will be won in the £106,650 Duke of York Blue Square Stakes, where a third of the horses are Yorkshire-trained.

Mr Brennan said yesterday: “Today we are putting the finishing touches to things to make sure everything is ready to welcome back the horses and race-goers.

“It’s fantastic to be back on the eve of doing what we all love doing and there is a great sense of excitement among the team.”


Weather set to be mixed

WEATHER forecasters at Meteo Group have predicted a mainly dry day today, with a small chance of showers, breezy winds of up to 20mph and maximum temperatures of 15C. Tomorrow, they say the risk of rain will increase, with some pretty heavy showers predicted for the afternoon and similar temperatures. On Friday, the winds are expected to drop, the maximum temperature will be 12 to 14C and there will be a small risk of showers.