KNAVESMIRE is set to host the most exciting season of racing in York racecourse's 274-year history, course boss William Derby said today.

The course's chief executive said he thought no other racecourse in the world would have the "quality of racing that would be seen at York this summer".

Mr Derby was speaking as it was revealed that 20,000 tickets had already been snapped up in the rails enclosure by locals for Royal Ascot at York.

With the five-day festival of racing just over a month away, Mr Derby said he was counting down the days to the start of the season at Knavesmire - when the Dante meeting is held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week.

He said: "It's going to be very special - in terms of the quality of racing, combined with Royal Ascot in June. The spotlight is focused on us for June and for the Ebor festival in August and it is certainly the most exciting season I have been involved with. Everything is to come and I am really looking forward to it."

Nick Smith, head of public relations at Ascot, said he hoped the rails enclosure patrons would be the most "vociferous" on the racecourse when society comes to York between June 14 and 18.

He told the Evening Press that the enclosure was likely to be packed on all days, with Saturday expected to be the most popular among city racegoers.

"We are going to hear a huge cheer from at least three furlongs out on every race," he said.

"We couldn't set out to plan an event like this without it being inclusive.

"We have sold 4,000 tickets for the Saturday already and some 3,000 to 3,500 on every other day. We have offered this because you can't expect everyone to have to pay a commercial rate."

Mr Derby said: "There was always an intent to make York people feel part of the event and the rails enclosure is a crucial part of that.

"A lot of tickets have been sold in the local area and that's something we very much welcome."

James Brennan, York Racecourse's marketing manager, said the course was to extend its smoking ban from the Ebor Stand to the hospitality restaurants.That means diners will not be allowed to light up in the Voltigeur, Gimcrack and the hospitality club, although they will still be allowed to smoke on balconies.

Lord Halifax, who will step down as the chairman of York Race Committee in July, said although Royal Ascot would be terrific, "we have got to remember that the most important part of the season starts next Wednesday".

Updated: 10:22 Wednesday, May 04, 2005