HATS off to Royal Ascot 2004, a feast of mad millinery, good bubbly and Frankie Dettori. Now the planning begins in earnest to make next year's festival even more memorable.

Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm that the Queen will make the journey to York Ascot. But there is a good chance of a majestic royal turnout and the racecourse is right to start preparing.

The centrepiece will be the Queen's procession along the course in an open-topped carriage. York has nothing similar, so perhaps our Lord Mayor could be persuaded to stand in for Her Majesty during rehearsals by cycling along Knavesmire.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, June 21, 2004