CAN'T wait for tomorrow and York's first Sunday race meeting at Knavesmire. Sponsored by the Evening Press, this promises to be a great day out for all the family. Our very own top tipster Tom O'Ryan offers you these each-way bets so you can have a flutter without losing your shirt.

Best of luck with Time To Remember (2pm) and Jorrocks (3.05pm).

All our reader-offer tickets have been snapped up but you can still buy your way in to see eight top-quality races.

Prices range from £20 each for the County Stand, £10 Tattersalls, £5 Silver Ring, to £3 for the Course Enclosure. Under 16s get in free if accompanied by an adult. For tickets ring (01904) 620911.

And there's more. Stand back in amazement as you marvel at the parachute display, the Royal Dragoon Display Team, the Minster FM Roadshow and the Virtual Reality Racehorse ride.

It's going to be a fun day and as always... Dick Turpin will be there, at your service. Just don't ask me for any tips!

HERE'S a sad story full of joy for life. Last week Ray Hobbs, devoted husband of Janet, father of Tracy and Shelley and Newcastle United fan, died of cancer at the age of 55, just days after his first season tickets for his beloved Magpies arrived in the post.

Ray, a whiteliner on roads in and around York, made his family promise that suits would be banned from his funeral, which took place yesterday.

Instead, he asked for friends and family to attend in the colours and strips of their favourite football team.

Tracy, 28, who went to most Newcastle matches with her dad, originally from Stanley in County Durham, told me: "He never took his Newcastle shirt off. He loved his team. We went everywhere to watch them.

"He said he didn't want anyone to be miserable at the funeral and that life goes on and wants me to carry on supporting Newcastle. All his wishes will be carried out," said brave Tracy.

I spoke to some of his mates and, as one, they all agreed they had lost a great pal.

A fond farewell Ray... and howay the lads!

YOU can't stop that Anne McIntosh speaking out in the Commons. The Vale of York Tory MP asked more parliamentary questions in the eight

months to July than all the other North Yorkshire MPs put together.

She had 80 questions to ministers, compared to 12 from Scarborough and Whitby Labour MP Lawrie Quinn, nine from Conservative MP for Ryedale John Greenway, eight from Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis and seven from Selby Labour MP John Grogan.

She made 29 speeches or interventions, Mr Greenway 27, Mr Willis 17, York MP and Social Security Minister Hugh Bayley 11, Mr Quinn nine, and Mr Grogan seven.

The figures were from the Parliamentary OnLine Indexing Service though it stressed they were indicative and not 100 per cent accurate.

Questions will be asked, won't they Anne?

Captain James Kirk has boldly gone... and done it!

Capt Kirk of Mallard Walk, Boroughbridge, pictured above, tied the knot with Fidelma Smith of Maidenhead recently. On your behalf and Scottie's I wish the happy couple cosmic happiness!

Sign on a van parked outside an Indian restaurant in Leicester: "Patel & Singh, Building Contractors. You've tried the cowboys, now try the Indians".

WHAT'S the real difference between work and prison?

In prison: You spend the majority of your time in an 8ft by 10ft cell.

At work: You spend most of your time in a 6ft by 8ft cubicle.

In prison: You get three meals a day.

At work: You get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.

In prison: You get time off for good behaviour.

At work: You get rewarded for good behaviour with more work.

In prison: You can watch TV and play games.

At work: You get fired for watching TV or playing games.

In prison: You get your own toilet.

At work: You have to share.

In prison: They allow your family and friends to visit.

At work: You cannot even speak to your family and friends - especially a friend that could become family.

In prison: All expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required.

At work: You get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

In prison: You spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out.

At work: You spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

In prison: You have unlimited time to read e-mail jokes.

At work: You get fired if you get caught.

Now get on with your work!

Defining Moment: Six months flashing your backside has made me very conscious of which foods give you a spotty botty - Comic Frank Skinner who has been starring in the West End hit Dinner With Elvis, in which he has to bare his bottom.

PICTURE: York Racecourse, which will make history tomorrow with its first Sunday race meeting, sponsored by the Evening Press