WHY can't York have its own "Royal" horse racing event like Ascot ("No Return: Ascot finally turns down Knavesmire second year", October 11?).

If the Royal Family enjoyed coming to York for the Ascot meeting, why can't they support us by giving us our own Royal event? We have the Ebor if they wanted to endorse an old established race, or they could start a new one.

York helped Ascot out when it was being refurbished, surely this would be a kind, if not generous, reward for stepping into the breach?

V J Hawkins,

Lord Drive,

Pocklington,

York.

Updated: 10:30 Wednesday, October 19, 2005