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Royal Ascot - one of the highlights of the sporting calendar, where top hats meet top-class Flat racing

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There has been horse racing at Ascot for nearly 300 years and the Royal meeting is the highlight of the year

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But in September 2004, the course was closed for an estimated 20 months for a �185m redevelopment

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Work began immediately on demolishing and rebuilding the famous Berkshire course

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Several other courses made pitches to host the Royal meeting while Ascot is shut, with York winning out

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The York course, set on the famous Knavesmire, has been practising for the five-day Royal meeting for months

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Some of the familiar faces of Royal Ascot will also be at York

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But others will be absent - Ascot's favourite jockey Frankie Dettori is banned for the entire meeting

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While the racing world heads north for Royal Ascot at York, the redevelopment work will be continuing in Berkshire

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When the redevelopment work is finished, Ascot will be a state-of-the-art track to rival the world's best

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But Ascot faces a race against time to be ready to host next year's Royal meeting