By Jennifer Gordon Smith

Timeline for redevelopment of Ascot racecourse as the venue's Royal meeting moves to York for the first time.

Late 2005

The upper floors and majority of the building works at Ascot should be nearing completion in August.

Officials will be working closely with trainers later in the year to trial the new course.

27 May 2006

Scheduled re-opening of the racecourse on completion of the �185m project, in time for the 2006 Royal Meeting in June.

It is the most extensive development of its type ever seen in Europe with the rebuilding of the grandstand and re-alignment of the racecourse itself.

Designed by the same team as the new Wembley project, the Millennium Stadium and the retractable roof at Wimbledon.

York racecourse will stage the 2005 Royal Meeting while Windsor, Lingfield, Newbury, Salisbury and Newmarket are holding the remaining fixtures during the main building work.

Progress so far

2004

September

Racecourse closes for the 20-month project. Frankie Dettori is presented with the 'First' position post in acknowledgement of the historic day in 1996 when he won all seven races at the track.

October

Bells removed from the Ascot tower while the clock and weather vane are dismantled and any other objects which can be re-used are placed in storage. Demolition work begins.

November

The keystone from above the Royal Box is removed.

The new straight-mile course is already in the latter stages of construction and turfing is ongoing. Construction of the new underpasses begins.

December

Construction continues in the Silver Ring area with the creation of a new viewing mound. Main stands reduced to ground level. The Heath reservoir is drained to help with a new irrigation system.

2005

January

The final section of the old grandstand is demolished and construction begins on the first core of the new stand.

February

Turf laying is complete and the installation of the new running rails is well underway. Work begins on improving the facade of the pavilion, which has been retained.

March

Construction of the underpass roof decks takes place, allowing the racing surface above to be laid. Seven cranes are now in operation on the site. Excavation and foundation work begins on the new parade ring.

April

Seeding of the National Hunt course is ongoing to establish grass cover. The western core of the grandstand completed to roof level.

May

Auction of Ascot memorabilia, removed prior to demolition, raises �389,965 for charity.

Top lot is the wrought and cast iron entrance, originally leading from the track to the winner's enclosure, with a bid of �280,000.

Other lots include the weighing room scales, urns from the Royal Box and Frankie Dettori's weighing room saddle tree.

Work begins on the terraces facing the new track and the listed buildings fronting the High Street to incorporate new saddling boxes and a ticket hall.

June

Internal work on the pavilion building begins including bars, betting facilities and a public library.

The erection of roof trusses that began in the western end of the grandstand in April is now progressing to the eastern end.