PAUL Hanagan, who will be reunited with Muhaarar in the Qipco Champions Sprint at Ascot on Saturday, teams up with another speed merchant at Leicester this afternoon.

MALJAA cannot come anywhere near dual Group 1 winner Muhaarar in terms of class but he is making giant strides up the sprinting ladder.

Winner of his last three starts at Doncaster and twice at Haydock, he bids to complete a notable four-timer in the £25,000 SIS Autumn Sprint Handicap over five furlongs.

Trained by Roger Varian, Maljaa has never looked back since opening his winning account and, although he seldom wins by far, he has certainly adopted the winning habit and has risen to a lofty rating of 107.

With seven rivals this afternoon, all of which are receiving weight from him, Maljaa has no easy task – but he is a horse at the top of his game and can carry Hanagan to another success.

Hanagan, who has enjoyed another excellent year on behalf of his retaining owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, also rides the Mark Johnston-trained newcomer SAMAAWY for his boss in the Reference Point Maiden Stakes. A son of Alhaarth, he merits respect.

Jack Garritty, locked in battle with Tom Marquand in the race for the Stobart Apprentice Championship, journeys to Leicester before travelling on to Wolverhampton's evening meeting. Marquand is doing likewise.

Malton-based Garritty has fair winning chances for his boss Richard Fahey on LIBERTY SKY (5.20), a Hamilton winner two starts ago and far from disgraced on the same course last time, and BAYAN KASIRGA (5.50), who has given notice on her last two outings at Ayr and Newcastle that her winning turn may not be far away.

HILLBILLY BOY (3.20), after solid placed efforts at Haydock and Ayr, is selected to return to the winning groove in the Wreake Handicap for Cheshire trainer Tom Dascombe. Richard Kingscote takes the mount.

Up at Musselburgh, Malton jockey David Allan partners course specialist LA BACOUTTEUSE in the Racing UK Anywhere Handicap.

Trained by Iain Jardine, who has recently moved into Len Lungo's former successful yard in Dumfriesshire, La Bacoutteuse has won no fewer than five times at Musselburgh.

Most recently successful at Ayr a fortnight ago, the evergreen ten-year-old can go well back at his favourite venue.

Norton trainer Brian Ellison has good prospects of winning the New Racing UK's IPad App Handicap with the much-travelled PEA SHOOTER.

Ellison is the third North Yorkshire trainer in recent months to handle Pea Shooter, who was a winner for Marjorie Fife at Ripon in June and who subsequently had a spell with David Nicholls.

Runner-up at Wolverhampton recently on his debut for Ellison, Pea Shooter may be able to go one better in this five-furlong dash. Ben Curtis has the mount.

Tony Hamilton, who enjoyed a winner each day at York's concluding weekend meeting, can continue his good form aboard nap selection ROSE MARMARA in the ebfstallions.com Maiden Stakes.

Fahey's filly was beaten less than a length into second at Nottingham recently on only her second career outing and is open to further improvement.

Stablemate OAK BLUFFS has every chance of following up in the Download Your Racing UK's App Handicap (division two) in the hands of Sammy Jo Bell.

Oak Bluffs gained a narrow success at Ayr last month and is rated 4lb higher now. Bell's 3lb claim erases much of that burden.

Also worth noting are Mark Johnston's pair, the promising ROSMARIA (2.00) – after three creditable runs, including at Ascot last month – and recent Pontefract winner NOMENKLATURA (3.00), who is fancied to defy a penalty.