And they're off. As Royal Ascot finally arrives in York, JO HAYWOOD talks to four women working hard behind the scenes.

THEY are the cogs that keep the Ascot machine running smoothly. They ensure the punters look good, sleep soundly and are well fed and watered.

They are - drum roll please - the hairdresser, the hotel director, the pub landlady and the head chef.

Rachel White, manager of the West Row salon in High Petergate, York, is looking forward to a busy week.

"This is a great opportunity for the ladies of York to dress up and have a ball without having to travel down south," she said.

"I know our regulars are really excited about it. I've been giving them lessons on how to wear a fascinator for weeks."

A fascinator, for those of you who have been living in a cardboard box under the stairs for the past six months, is a dinky little head piece that is set to knock the traditional big race day hats into a cocked hat this year.

West Row is offering a £55 Ascot package, complete with a massage, champagne, canaps, deep conditioning treatment, a blow dry and hat fitting, so the staff are geared up for a busy week.

But that doesn't mean they wouldn't make room for a special last minute client.

"I'd love to get my hands on the Queen's hair," said Rachel. "Any hairdresser would.

"I'd want to make it softer and more flattering. At the moment it's too severe."

The Queen won't be staying with June Nelsey and her staff at the Monk Bar Hotel, but that doesn't stop other customers from being treated like royalty.

"Because it is a unique event, people's expectations will be 100 per cent higher than at a normal race meeting," said June, director of the city centre hotel.

"We're providing special welcome trays including Bettys' chocolates and Harrogate Spa Water. And we're replacing our usual chocolate on the pillow with mini top hats and bonnets filled with chocolate money as part of our turn-down service."

The Monk Bar has been taking bookings for Ascot for two years and is booked solid all week.

This doesn't mean, however, that it will be all work and no play for June.

"I'm going to the races today - I'll be the one in the big hat," she said.

The big picture, as well as the big hat, is important for York, according to June.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city," she said. "I was involved when Harrogate hosted the Eurovision Song Contest. The knock-on effect from that went on for ten years.

"Royal Ascot is the biggest race meeting in the world - just imagine the long-term business it could bring us."

Once again, it is not all business. She has also found the time to write to the Queen to ask what her favourite dessert is. "I really wanted to put it on our menu," said June. "She hasn't replied yet, but I bet it's rice pudding."

Rose Eunson, landlady of The Mount pub, which is five minutes' walk from the racecourse, is a betting woman too. But she won't be heading for Knavesmire this week because she is hoping to be too busy counting her takings.

"I've had the pub decorated and the pool table taken out so we can squeeze in some extra tables," she said. "I've also ordered extra beer - three times more than usual - but I'm sure we'll sell it all."

Rose is unhappy that the council is laying on buses to take punters from the racecourse to the city centre - bypassing her door on the way. But she is still expecting a full bar every day.

"It's always brilliant when the races are on," she said. "You get the right customers coming through the door; nice people who just want to enjoy themselves.

"It's very stressful in the mornings getting everything ready, but once the punters start rolling in I'm happy. I like being busy and you don't get any busier than during the races."

Annie Prescott, the new head chef at Melton's restaurant in Scarcroft Road, is no stranger to busy race days. She was born and raised in York, living for a number of years in Bishopthorpe Road, just minutes from Knavesmire.

She first worked at Melton's as a student 14 years ago, returning in February this year after cooking her way through the kitchens of London's Le Gavroche, founded by Albert Roux and one of the few restaurants to achieve three Michelin stars; the former Rockefeller Camp, now an exclusive retreat for gastronomes on the shores of Lake Placid; and her own restaurant in the Home Counties, which she ran with her husband and Michel Roux, Albert's brother.

"I'm glad to be back in York," said Annie. "And I'm looking forward to the challenges that Ascot brings."

Melton's has scrapped lunch this week and replaced it with brunch, so punters can eat well and still make it to the racecourse in time for the royal procession at 1.30pm.

"The races have always been an exciting time," said Annie, "and it's great to see the city looking so good. Everyone seems so proud of York at the moment. I just hope it continues after Ascot."

Updated: 11:12 Tuesday, June 14, 2005