HUGS DANCER has all of the required attributes to eclipse his rivals in this afternoon's John Smith's £175,000 Northumberland Plate, writes Colin Woods.

A good old-fashioned street-fighter, Hugs Dancer (2.50) proved his ability to handle himself in what is always a rough and incident-packed race by finishing a gallant fourth in the Plate 12 months ago.

And since that time his career has really taken off, in particular the James Given-trained six-year-old bringing home the bacon for this column when outbattling his rivals to land a 9-1 winning nap in the Chester Cup.

The selection has since finished out the back door in the Group 2 Henry 11 Stakes at Sandown, however he was taking on the likes of the subsequent Ascot Gold Cup hero Mr Dinos at the Esher venue and in the circumstances can be forgiven his poor performance.

"Hugs Dancer has been our flag-bearer over the last couple of seasons and after giving him a break following Sandown he's back and in great order," reported Givens, who has unsurprisingly retained the services of Dean McKeown to ride his gelding.

After all it was McKeown who was in the saddle both at Chester and previously York when Hugs Dancer famously captured the 2002 Ebor Handicap, providing the near-veteran Wetherby-based rider with the most valuable success of his career.

"I've not got that many really good horses to look forward to riding these days, Tedburrow and Hugs Dancer being two of the exceptions," revealed McKeown.

Givens knows full well his charge is at his best when the ground is riding fast and he will be praying that the forecast heavy overnight rain stay away. "As long as it stays as it is the ground should be perfect," he reported.

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