Harry Bentley returns to Happy Valley for the first time since June with a strong book of rides after being prematurely sidelined by injury a month before the end of last season.

The British jockey fell from Smiling Falcon at Sha Tin in June, causing a fractured forearm, fractured shoulder blade and five broken ribs.

Following intensive physiotherapy and training throughout the off-season, Bentley returned to Sha Tin on Sunday where he was able to secure a second placing aboard Flying Fortress and two third placings.

“Physically I feel really good, I did a lot of physiotherapy and a lot of training before the season started just to make sure that I was in good order for the start because you never want to come half-hearted. So I made sure that I was in really good form and, it translated well on race day, I felt good,” Bentley said.

Bentley is looking forward to improving on an impressive 2024-2025 season, which saw him score the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) with Tomodachi Kokoroe and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1,800m) aboard Stormy Grove.

“I had a good season and I was very happy with how things went and the connections I made, so I’ll be looking to strengthen those this season and hope to add top quality race wins as well as building those relationships. Of course, it was just cut short at the end, but all in all, I was very happy,” Bentley said.

Bentley’s hand on Wednesday night is headlined by Devas Twelve in the Class Three Wan Chai Handicap (1,200m), who returns off the back of a win in March, which was followed by an enforced break due to a bleed.

While the seven-year-old will need to overcome barrier 10, the Headwater galloper will be aided by the bottom weight of 119lb when stepping back up in grade for Chris So Wai-yin.

“His last start came a while ago in March, but he comes back to the Valley obviously with that last win. It’s just a bit of a shame to be drawn 10 over this distance, it’s never ideal, but he’s carrying a lightweight up in class and I’d like to think – off his most recent trial – he looks to be in good order,” Bentley said.

Although there will be plenty of pace to the inside, Bentley is not concerned and will use Devas Twelve’s natural gate speed to his advantage.

“He’s a horse that likes to be on the front end, hence why it’s going to be quite difficult from my draw, but a little bit of pace on the inside isn’t anything to be too worried about. When you’re drawn 10, it’s bound to be the case that you’re going to have some speedy horses drawn lower than you, so it’s not a huge concern, but I’m sure I’ll be bouncing out to be positive with him as that’s how he’s always ridden,” Bentley said.

The consistent Oriental Surprise seeks an elusive breakthrough win in the second section of the Class Five Admiralty Handicap (1,200m) for David Hayes and should have every chance with the bottom weight of 119lb and an ideal draw of barrier two.

“He’s knocking on the door. His last two runs last season were obviously very good and he was narrowly denied in his last start, so hopefully he brings that sort of form into this race,” Bentley said.

“He’s dropping back in distance, but he has got form over the 1,200m, so I think drawn two with a nice low weight is going to suit him really well and I’d expect him to be competitive. David’s got him fit, so he’s ready to hit the ground running.”

Bentley also takes the ride on Turbo Jefferies for Hayes in the Class Four Kowloon Tong Handicap (1,000m). The lightly raced son of Tassort has shown ability in trials and Bentley believes his talent is better than his form indicates.

“I liked the horse before his first ever start, he had shown me a bit in his trials. His first couple of runs were disappointing, of course, if you look at his form. I thought he’d probably run a bit better than those starts indicated, but I think he was just getting his act together,” Bentley said.

“He’s only had five starts, so he’s certainly got a lot of room for improvement there, but from what he’s shown in his trials I think he’s better than his form suggests. He’s probably not quite quick enough for the 1,000m ideally, but we’ve got to start somewhere and I think it’s a good place for him to kick off.”

Bentley’s third and final ride for Hayes comes in the form of Ryui Kokoroe, who takes on the Class Four Tsim Sha Tsui Handicap (1,200m) as he seeks a maiden victory in Hong Kong.

“I would put him in a similar camp with Turbo Jeffries in the fact that he’s shown glimpses of ability and I think if you look at his form alone, it probably doesn’t represent exactly the full picture. Now he’s off the weight he is, I think he’s got potential to do something in Class Four.

“He also usually comes off the pace and he’s better for doing so, that’s the way we’ll ride him I think, just a bit patiently and get him to run home, which he can do.

Telecom Power seals Bentley’s card, as he looks for an elusive second win for Me Tsui Yu-sak in the first section of the Class Five Admiralty Handicap (1,200m) when dropping back in distance.

“He’s not an easy horse to get his head in front, that’s for sure. He’s only had that one win the previous season, so he kind of does everything bar get his head in front and he always looks a little unlucky, but he’s a consistent performer that’s for sure,” Bentley said.

“Back to the 1,200m, which being six-years-old it’s probably on the sharper side for him now, but as we know has got the ability to be there about when it matters.”