THE stall at Ripon Racecourse spoke volumes. Alongside a colourful display of elegant and ladies hats, perched more traditional Yorkshire headwear - old-fashioned flat caps.

Just a week before Royal Ascot, Ladies' Day at Ripon gave fashion-conscious punters chance to dust down fancy frocks before the world's most famous racing event makes York its temporary home.

Reports suggest some southern toffs plan to stay at home rather than venture north of Watford, scared by tales of chilly climes, cloth caps and whippets.

So with days to go before Ascot goes under starter's orders, we asked well-heeled Ripon racegoers what they thought about York hosting the royal race.

Immaculately dressed Jayne Spink won Ascot Royal Enclosure tickets when she scooped a best-dressed lady contest at another meeting.

She was using Ripon as a trial run for her £300 red outfit.

"I think it's brilliant Ascot is coming to York," the 33-year-old said. "Normally we have to watch it on the television - this year we can take part."

And her message to posh punters considering snubbing the showcase? "They're going to miss out. York is gorgeous."

Elsewhere, Jane Welbourn, from Ripon, told how she visited Harrods and forked out £1,000-plus on a dress to impress next week.

She thinks southerners will "turn up in droves" for Ascot. "It will be really successful."

Ralph Lucas, a cavalry officer at Catterick Garrison, has a place in the Royal Enclosure, and reckons York will prove a winning venue.

"I went to Ascot last year," he said. "It was superb. You had the Queen and Margaret Thatcher wandering around, but it was still very informal."

And Jane Hutchinson, 38, said anyone who stayed away would miss a "fantastic week". She added: "Those who do come will see that the north has more to offer than flat caps and whippets."

But other posh punters were not so sure.

Racehorse owner Dr Tom Davies, 51, who hails from Buckinghamshire, said the "jury was out" on whether Ascot and York would prove a perfect match.

"When I went to get my morning dress altered at a London tailors he said he was doing ten per cent of usual business for Ascot.

"It's a long way for people to go, but I'm sure the Yorkshire crowd will make up for it."

Updated: 10:00 Friday, June 10, 2005