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Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum bids to tighten his grip on this season's sprinting division by firing a twin assault on Saturday's Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Muhaarar has been the undoubted star of the show this season, carrying the famous blue and white silks to a hat-trick of Group One victories in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the July Cup at Newmarket and the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

The Charlie Hills-trained three-year-old is safely tucked away in his box while his contemporaries do battle on Merseyside this weekend, but his owner still has a couple of major contenders, with the William Haggas-trained Adaay and John Gosden's Waady both expected to go well.

Course and distance winner Adaay comes back in trip after winning Newbury's Hungerford Stakes over seven furlongs last month, while e ach of Waadys five victories have been over five furlongs.

Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, Angus Gold, said: "I was quite impressed by the way Adaay got the seven furlongs at Newbury, but he has plenty of speed, so hopefully coming back in trip won't be a problem.

"He's a very progressive horse and the ground will suit him. The more mature he's getting, the more consistent he's becoming and he's quite a tough horse with a bit of class.

"He's won a Group Two at the track and it's just a question of whether he can do it at Group One level.

"Waady is also a progressive sprinter and he has a real turn of foot, which not all sprinters have.

"I don't think the ground will hinder him and we don't really know how good he is.

"We feel he will get the trip and again it's just whether he's good enough on the day."

Danzeno is a major contender for Frankie Dettori and trainer Mick Appleby after a fine effort when fifth in the July Cup.

Appleby said: "The ground should be all right for him, but I'm hoping they don't get any more rain.

"He's in very good form and has a decent draw, so he should go well.

"The main thing is getting him out of the stalls as he missed the break at Newmarket and at Newcastle before that.

"If he jumps out he should run a big race."

Roger Varian is looking forward to seeing one-time Classic contender Belardo test his powers as a sprinter.

Last year's Dewhurst hero was a close-up fourth behind Gleneagles in the Irish 2,000 Guineas earlier in the campaign, but has been well-beaten over a mile in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville the last twice.

"We just feel that running him over a mile, we've been blunting his speed," said Varian.

"He had a very good run over six furlongs in the July Stakes last year, finishing just behind Muhaarar, and he did travel particularly well during the race that day.

"James Doyle came to ride him in a piece of fast work last week and we both felt it was worth giving him a go back at six furlongs.

"There are limited options, so we've decided to give this a go and we're looking forward to it.

"I hope we'll see an improved performance at the top level back at a shorter trip."