FORMER Brookside beauty Claire Sweeney has admitted she "loves" Ascot in York.

The ex-soap actress and West End star turned heads outside the Royal Enclosure at Knavesmire in a stunning gold dress.

When asked what she thought about the Royal race coming to the city, she beamed: "I love it."

But after dodging the raindrops, the scouse star failed to give the Evening Press any top tips in the big race.

She told us, with a wink, to back Ouija Board in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

However, it trailed home a miserable seventh in an eight-strong field, suggesting Claire's talents lie on stage rather than in the betting ring.

Other celebrities spotted at yesterday's meeting included former England and British Lions rugby star Rory Underwood, and - for the second day running - snooker personality John Virgo.

Updated: 10:12 Thursday, June 16, 2005