Harry Bentley will seek back-to-back wins aboard Packing Angel when they contest the Class Two Tai Tam Gap Handicap (1,800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained galloper showed a fantastic return to form last time out when winning his first start at the city circuit thanks to a perfectly timed ride from Bentley, who was in the saddle for the first time.

After sitting midfield, the son of Shocking had a dream run around the home bend and let down superbly in the straight to overhaul Soleil Fighter by one and three-quarter lengths.

It was the first win in 467 days for the 2025 Hong Kong Derby placegetter after the five-year-old had been off the scene for an extended period since that run, following arthroscopic surgery to both knees to remove bone fragments.

“It was a good victory I thought. You never quite know how they’re going to handle the Valley for the first time, but he took to it really well and the race panned out nicely for me,” Bentley said.

“He’s obviously had a few issues along the way, but I think the bit of ease in the ground certainly suited him and it was a good victory.

“His previous form speaks for itself, he’s always been a talented horse. But of course once they’re plagued by a bit of injury like he has, or just minor setbacks along the way, it perhaps just dents their confidence a little bit and you need all things to fall right, which clearly it did last time.”

An extended rating band in Class Two company last start sees the 93-rater carry 130lb on Wednesday, 11lb more than last time.

“It’s no mean feat to do that sort of turnaround with such a difference in the weights, but if he can put his best foot forward again against these horses, I think he can put in another big performance,” Bentley said.

Bentley has no issues with the step up in distance, particularly given his performance to run third by a neck behind Cap Ferrat in the Derby.

“The way he went through the line last time gave me every indication that it’s not a problem for him. He has been placed over 2,000m, he was only just beaten, so I’ve got no worries at the distance,” Bentley said.

Bentley will combine with three David Hayes runners on Wednesday night in the form of All Round Winner, Dashing Maurison and Harmony N Blessed.

The consistent All Round Winner returns to Happy Valley on a seven-day back in the Class Three Violet Hill Handicap (1,650m), seeking his third win of the season in combination with Bentley.

“He’s a consistent horse. His last run was perhaps a little disappointing, but he’s capable of putting in another good run. He’s still carrying relatively low weight in Class Three, so it’d be lovely to get a win in Class Three on him,” Bentley said.

Bentley has been able to bring the best out of Dashing Maurison when partnering the Maurice galloper at his last two starts at Happy Valley, securing a win and second placing, and they combine again in the Class Four Middle Gap Handicap (1,650m).

“Last time it looked like things were just going to fall into his lap nicely with such a strong pace up front but he got a little bit of a bump round the home bend, which perhaps took a little bit of wind out of his sails for the last few strides. Nonetheless, it was a big performance again and I’d expect him to run another big race,” Bentley said.

Bentley again takes the reins on nine-year-old stable stalwart Harmony N Blessed in the Class Three Shouson Hill Handicap (1,200m), who proved he’s still competitive with a second place behind Sight Hermoso by one and a quarter lengths two starts ago.

“He always seems to run a decent race and he is in pretty good order at the moment. His last run was a little bit below par but before that he’s been pretty close. We’ve drawn a pretty wide barrier, it’d be nice if he can jump well to overcome that but draw 11 isn’t ideal,” Bentley said.

Bentley will team up with Runjeet in the Class Five Mount Nicholson Handicap (1,200m), who has his first start for Douglas Whyte after recently being transferred to the stable from David Eustace.

“He’s changed stables and as we all know, that often brings horses forward a little bit just with a change of routine. He looked like he trialled really well in Conghua and drawn barrier one, which is great, so I actually think he’ll run really well,” Bentley said.

Telecom Power and Healthy Healthy round out Bentley’s rides at Happy Valley.