RACEGOERS were hanging on to their hats during a dramatic day at York Racecourse, as a veteran TV presenter, "police" with a difference and a charity cycle rider who has touched the heart of the nation watched some nail-biting finishes at the city's Knavesmire.

Despite the sunny weather, gusts of wind whipped across the course for much of yesterday afternoon, sending betting slips belonging to luckless punters dancing across the paddock.

Employees from York Tourism Bureau were among those enjoying the day's racing, taking pictures to promote Royal Ascot next year.

Shunning their glamorous outfits for something a little different were Nicky Bedingham and her 17-strong hen party, who arrived at the Knavesmire in a fire engine, dressed as police officers.

Nicky, 25, said: "I come to the races quite a lot but not usually dressed like this. I had a win on Eton (winner in the second race), but only £7."

Also enjoying the racing was newly-honoured Richard Whiteley OBE, who told the Evening Press he was hoping to run his new horse, Twice Nightly, at York in the summer.

Leeds charity cyclist Jane Tomlinson was in attendance, and received a round of applause for completing her epic Rome To Home tandem ride with her brother, Luke Goward, raising £112,000. The 40-year-old mother-of-three is suffering from terminal breast cancer.

Paramedics had to take an elderly woman to York Hospital just before 2pm after she fell from a chair and fractured her leg.

Threatened industrial action by stall handlers during the earlier races was cancelled after a dispute with their employers, Racetech, was resolved. James Brennan, of York Racecourse, said yesterday's attendance was 12,326. This was a "shade down" on last year's record turnout, he added, but still nearly 20 per cent above the five-year average. He said: "We are highly delighted with the crowd and were pleased to see so many smiling faces and people enjoying themselves."

Racing continues today with the 34th Timeform Charity Day.

Updated: 09:10 Saturday, June 12, 2004