CHAMPION jockey Paul Hanagan is back!

Tomorrow at Wolverhampton, Malton’s much celebrated dual-title winner returns to the fray for two rides for Richard Fahey in advance of travelling to Dubai next week.

Hanagan, last in action when representing Britain in the International Jockeys’ Challenge in Japan in early December, will be making a flying visit to Dubai a week tomorrow to partner the Fahey-trained Glen’s Diamond, a Group 3 winner last season at Chester, and Sir Reginald, whose 2011 campaign was highlighted by a valuable sales race victory at Newmarket.

The first northern jockey to gain back-to-back championship victories when emerging four clear of Silvestre de Sousa at Doncaster last November, Hanagan is plainly keen to be in the best possible shape for Dubai, hence his comeback at lowly Wolverhampton.

It is unlikely he will ride a winner.

Henry Bee, his first mount back, is making his racecourse debut, while Aurora Lights has found winning a difficult pastime.

Hanagan, though, is assured of a warm welcome as he returns to the racecourse for the first time in 2012.

Jamie Spencer could be the jockey to follow at the meeting.

The former champion has treble prospects aboard the talented but seemingly quirky Marcus Augustus (4.40), the hat-trick seeking Tornado Force (5.40) and Don Cantillon’s stable star La Estrella (6.10), who is fancied to shrug off a 6lb penalty incurred for his latest success.

The nap vote at Wolverhampton goes to Faraway (5.10), a course and distance winner, who will have the services of Luke Morris, leading jockey on the all-weather circuit.

Royal Acclamation (7.10) has only to repeat his recent rousing effort at Lingfield, where he was narrowly beaten by Cheers, to go well in the concluding handicap.

At Lingfield this afternoon, a whole host of North Yorkshire horses are worth keeping on the right side of.

Recent Wolverhampton winner Wigram’s Turn (12.50), trained by Mick Easterby, can start the ball rolling, while stablemate Aerodynamic (2.20), winner of two of his last three starts, has every chance of adding to his tally, despite stepping up in class.

Mark Johnston’s Henry Clay (1.20), runner-up on his only start last autumn on turf, promises to go well in the maiden race, provided he copes with the switch to Polytrack, while Al Doha (3.20), who showed a glimpse of ability in his three juvenile outings, should go well for Kevin Ryan on his handicap debut in a lowly grade.

Finally, Thirsk-based David Barron, whose Ezra Church looks one of the main dangers to Wigram’s Turn in the opener, can expect a bold show from the fairly promising Magilini (2.50), runner-up on her debut, in the five furlong maiden.

Racing selections

Lingfield (today)

12.50 Wigram’s Turn, 1.20 Henry Clay, 1.50 Marvo, 2.20 Aerodynamic, 2.50 Magilini, 3.20 Al Doha, 3.50 Cut And Thrust.

Today’s other meetings

Huntingdon, Kempton and Southwell.

Wolverhampton (tomorrow)

4.10 Lord Buffhead, 4.40 Marcus Augustus, 5.10 Faraway (NAP), 5.40 Tornado Force, 6.10 La Estrella, 6.40 Baby Driver, 7.10 Royal Acclamation.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Lingfield, Ludlow and Sedgefield.