Fresh from the announcement that Royal Ascot will come to York in 2005, Emily Flanagan visits the Knavesmire at the start of the Ebor Festival and assesses whether the North's premier racecourse is up to the job.

ANYBODY who thinks that the racing season is all about horses should ask the women who wince with every step taken in their pointy shoes.

The three-day Ebor meeting is the biggest event on York's racing calendar, when the racing world's glitterati rub shoulders with families on a day trip and those who just wanted an excuse to wear a hat.

But whether they had spent a lifetime in the racing world or not, those who attended the first day of the Ebor meeting yesterday agreed that the York course could easily match anything Ascot had to offer.

York has won the hotly contended race to host the Royal Ascot in two years' time, while the Berkshire course undergoes a £180m development.

But will Ascot's royal patrons like what they see?

Racegoer Bob Barry, from Dublin, thought they would. He said: "It's the best English racecourse I've been to. I've been to Aintree and it's far superior to that."

James Goodheart, who has followed racing closely for the past 30 years, agreed. "After Ascot, York is the best racecourse in England," he said.

One of the racing's most recognisable figures, John McCririck, was confident York would shine when the 2005 Royal Ascot race moved North.

He said: "Hotels are already booking up. People are already talking about it. The great thing about York is, it's a great city as well. People can come up here and walk around the city walls and visit all its attractions, which you can't do at Ascot.

"It's a wonderful extra attraction for people. It's a fantastic location."

As well as offering top facilities - last year York opened its new multi-million pound Ebor stand - it also affords the chance for the all-important glamour.

Ladies' Day is tomorrow, when the best-dressed woman wins an 18-carat diamond pendant worth more than £1,000. Nevertheless, yesterday women arrived in a miriad of colours - and hats ranging from those that wafted daintily in the breeze, to those that shook alarmingly.

Armed with my best dress and a copy of the Racing Post, I decided to see for myself what was so great about the York track.

I could not even rank myself as a racing novice as I don't know a horse's knee from its backside.

So with the sure-fire advice I had been given from all and sundry to "just pick a horse and ask to put a few pounds on either way", I put £3 on Falbrav, in the 2.55.

Falbrav won and I excitedly scooped up my £16.20 from the bookies.

After the gods had so clearly demonstrated I had a natural talent for this, I decided to be more adventurous and ditch my cautious "either way" tactic altogether, backing Notable Lady to win in the 4.05 race.

I took to the terraces with my sister who, with all the optimism of a 16-year-old, told me she was there to find herself a rich husband.

As my horse was paraded in front of the large screens, I could see I had made a good choice.

I could barely contain my excitement as the starting gates sprang open and the horses surged forward. As the animals tore into view, the crowds around me erupted into a mass of shouting. I could clearly make out the distinctive number seven of my horse. I couldn't believe it.

"I knew yours would come last," Beth said sweetly.