RACEGOERS are being urged to enjoy next week's Royal Ascot at York - because it is unlikely the meeting will be back next year.

Ascot chiefs today confirmed they expected to reopen the Berkshire course in time for next year's horseracing and society festival, following a £185 million facelift.

Rumours had abounded that York may be asked to step in again, as the massive revamp had fallen behind schedule.

But while Ascot chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum admitted that some aspects of the construction work were "slightly behind", he was optimistic the new Ascot would be open for the 2006 Royal Meeting.

Mr Erskine-Crum said the prospect of some 230,000 racegoers watching the action at York Racecourse next week had "exceeded both ours and William Derby's (York chief executive) expectations".

But he conceded that attendance in the Royal Enclosure was down "a couple of thousand", as some Ascot members had elected not to travel north.

Mr Erskine-Crum said: "This is a very special year, with the Royal Meeting being staged at York. It is a moment of genuine history for the city of York. We are particularly delighted with the reception to the meeting in the city.

"Royal Enclosure sales are about 80 per cent for Tuesday through Friday. Saturday is less - about 50 per cent, but the forecast sales are very similar in real terms to those at Ascot."

He rejected claims the meeting was being snubbed by southerners. "It is true that the Royal Enclosure is a couple of thousand light, but we know that across all enclosures a lot of people are coming from all over the country," he said.

On the redevelopment, Mr Erskine-Crum said: "We remain confident of being at Berkshire for the 2006 Royal Meeting.

"Eight months into the redevelopment, some aspects are slightly ahead and some are slightly behind. We are optimistic they are recoverable. It is the plan to be back next year."

Mr Derby, who is acting as clerk of the course for the meeting, said: "It is not often that in a career you get to be part of something historic.

"In 300 years, this is the first time that Royal Ascot has left Berkshire, and we are looking forward to a fantastic week in prospect."

Will you be proposing to your partner at Royal Ascot? Do you know someone who is travelling thousands of miles to attend the historic York meeting? Are you doing anything special during the five days of racing? If so, we want to hear from you.

Phone Steve Carroll on 01904 653051 ext 304 or email stephen.carroll@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 10:18 Thursday, June 09, 2005