Trainer Given eyes 'autumn double'

Trainer James Given is set to make a bold bid to land the ‘autumn double’ with two of his stable stars I Cried For You and Hugs Dancer.

I Cried For You won last season’s Tote Cambridgeshire and is on course for this year’s contest on October 5, for which 104 horses stood their ground at the latest acceptance stage.

“I Cried For You is in great shape,” the Gainsborough-based trainer said. “He’s been trained with the Tote Cambridgeshire as his target and he’s in just as good form as last season.

“At the start of the year he was only beaten a short head in the Winter Derby and was third from a poor draw in the Lincoln.

“You can forget his last run (19th of 20 in the John Smith’s Cup at York in July). He was over the top having been in work from so early in the year.

“He needed a break which he’s had now.”

I Cried For You has been allotted 9st 1lb in the nine-furlong Newmarket handicap and is a 20-1 chance with the sponsors.

Stable companion Hugs Dancer, winner of the Tote Ebor last time, has 8st 9lb in the Tote Cesarewitch, 65 entries remain, and is William Hill’s 10-1 second favourite for the Newmarket marathon, run two weeks after the Cambridgeshire.

“Hugs Dancer’s also in fine form,” Given added. “He came out of the Ebor really well and goes straight to the Cesarewitch.”