He captured Happy Valley’s only Group race last month and Harry Bentley is on the hunt for more success at the city circuit with a solid book of rides on Wednesday.

Bentley landed the Group Three January Cup (1,800m) aboard Helene Feeling on January 8 and teams up with Danny Shum Chap-shing’s galloper again on the midweek card in the Class Two Tsun Yip Handicap (1,650m).

The son of Sioux Nation defied barrier nine and a wide trip throughout to battle to a three-quarter-length victory in the HK$4.2 million contest and record his first win in 13 months.

While Helene Feeling’s two most recent victories have come over 1,800m at the Valley, Bentley is confident the gelding can thrive over the extended mile.

“I thought he did it well last time considering a horse came out on the bend and made life a little bit difficult for him,” Bentley said. “But he really stuck his head out with a light weight [115 pounds] and got the job done.

“It looks like there’s a bit of pace drawn inside of me, so I’m hoping the race maps pretty nicely and I can slot in just behind the pace and keep it simple.

“A mile shouldn’t be an issue. I’ve sat on him a few times since and he feels really good, so hopefully he can put in another big performance.”

Helene Feeling rises 16 pounds to carry 133 and jumps from gate five in the eight-runner contest, which includes two last-start runners-up in Capital Delight and Mr Ascendency.

Bentley also reunites with Wings Of War in the Class Three Shui Wo Handicap (1,200m) after the Douglas Whyte-trained six-year-old flashed home for his second local win over the course and distance on January 15.

With the Englishman sitting on the sidelines due to suspension, Hugh Bowman steered the ever-consistent galloper to a last-gasp victory from gate three.

Bentley, who has only failed to finish in the first three aboard Wings Of War once from eight attempts, is confident the sprinter will be thereabouts yet again off top weight.

“He’s been such a consistent horse for a while now and he always runs a good one,” Bentley said.

“Of course it was frustrating to miss out last time because of a suspension, but it’s good to be back on board, albeit with top weight.

“[Gate six] is OK and I’m hoping that he can continue to improve and be thereabouts again. I know him so well and I’ve ridden him so many times, so I know he’s going to give me his all.”

Sitting on 12 victories for the season, Bentley also rides Taihang Scenery, who appears for the first time this season in the third section of the Class Four Wai Yip Handicap (1,200m) after suffering a bone injury in September.

“He trialled well up at Conghua and I think he can go well,” Bentley said. “He’s a lightly raced horse and he seems to be in good order.”

Despite a relatively slow start to the 2024-25 campaign, Bentley has started to build momentum and fire in the winners, securing five victories since the turn of the year.

He heads to Happy Valley armed with eight rides and hopes to grab a winner under the lights for the fourth consecutive meeting.