TOM O'Ryan, the Evening Press - and Britain's leading - racing tipster, will be giving racecourse punters his expert advice on what to back at York races tomorrow.

He is on a special 'Punters Panel' to take place on the winner's podium before racing begins tomorrow with the first race at 2.10pm.

The other members of tomorrow's panel will be Paul Jones, of racing agency Wetherbys, and a Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club star yet been decided. The trio will be questioned about their racing fancies by Graham Orange of Go Racing in Yorkshire, the marketing organisation for Yorkshire racecourses.

O'Ryan currently leads the way in the Racing Post Naps table in which national and provincial newspaper tipsters compete with a Nap selection every racing day at a £1 level stake.

The panel's opinions and tips will be broadcast round the course and shown on the closed circuit television screens.

The panel will also take place before Saturday's racing on Knavesmire, with Paul Jones and Clive Gott two of the three panelists. Gott has a different approach to making his racing selections, taking more off-beat factors into account.

The 'Punters Panel' is part of the Tote Partnership Initiative with York racecourse. The Trend Betting Guide for the major races is also available as part of the Initiative.

Tomorrow's action includes the seventh running of the Anthony Fawcett Memorial Stakes, a five furlongs sprint handicap, in which Benzoe could represent Ampleforth businessman Tony Fawcett in his attempt to win this race held in memory of his father.

Several media and other personalities including 'Question of Sport' television quiz panel chairman and former world snooker champion John Parrott, former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson, BBC television presenter Harry Gration and comedian Norman Collier will be guests of race sponsors Batleys Cash and Carry.

With Saturday's York programme being Timeform Charity Day, there is a Timeform dinner at the racecourse tomorrow evening featuring the award of Timeform's Racing Personality of the Year. The last two to get this award have been the National Hunt record-breaking champion jockeys Richard Dunwoody and Tony McCoy.

Among the items to be auctioned at the dinner are a bronze of the triple champion hurdler Istabraq and a painting of top-class stayer Double Trigger.

PICTURE: TOP TIPSTER: The Evening Press' Tom O'Ryan