RYEDALE MP John Greenway is 'quietly optimistic' that York Racecourse is in line to host the famous Royal Ascot meeting.

As reported by the Evening Press in March, the hugely popular racing festival - known as The Season - may have to temporarily move from Ascot in 2005 as the Berkshire course undergoes a £180 million redevelopment.

York has been installed as one of the favourites to take it on should it move and Greenway reckons Knavesmire, which this week opened its new £20 million Ebor stand, is on course to get the nod.

The Shadow Minister for Sport told the Evening Press: "I think there is no doubt that the Ascot authorities recognise that the infrastructure at York racecourse is now second to none and I believe that if Ascot decide to move the festival then York would be their preference.

"I think they would rather keep it at Ascot but if they have to move then I believe York should be the number one choice."

Greenway, who has a number of contacts in the horse-racing fraternity, revealed that he has been lobbying racing chiefs to bring the five-day carnival to York, and indeed met the chief executive of Ascot, Douglas Erskine-Crum, during the opening of the new Ebor stand on Tuesday.

"I'm lobbying hard to persuade Ascot racecourse authorities to bring the 2005 Royal meeting to York and I took the opportunity to meet Ascot's chief executive to press York's case," said Greenway.

"If they have to take the meeting somewhere other than Ascot then I am quietly optimistic that York would be the first choice."

Updated: 11:26 Friday, May 16, 2003