While things didn’t go his way at Happy Valley on Thursday night, Harry Bentley heads to Sha Tin on Sunday determined to taste that winning feeling for the first time since October.

Outed for two months for relaying information about horses to people who weren’t the owners, Bentley had to have his wits about him in his first ride back at the midweek meeting as Spicy So Smart started bucking and tailed off last.

“It’s typical, isn’t it? That was a tricky one,” Bentley said of Spicy So Smart’s antics. “But it’s great to be back in the saddle and I’m feeling good.”

After a best finish of fourth from his six Valley mounts, Bentley boasts a healthy book of nine rides for Sunday’s fixture and is keen to turn that support into success.

“I’m extremely pleased to have got a good amount of support and to have nine rides on Sunday is great. Obviously I want to get on the board as soon as I can, but to have that support is very good,” he said.

Bentley rides the Tony Cruz-trained Whizz Kid in Sunday’s feature, the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m), while he reunites with a familiar face in the Class Three Lai King Handicap (1,400m).

While Bentley is two from two aboard Douglas Whyte’s Blue Marlin this season, the talented five-year-old hasn’t been able to fire in the Englishman’s absence, missing the placings three times from double-figure draws under three different jockeys.

“He’s obviously a lovely horse and I’ve had some fortunate times with him, so it’s good to be back on him,” Bentley said of Blue Marlin, one of seven gallopers he was supposed to ride on November 5 before being stood down by stewards.

“He’s been plagued by a few terrible draws, that’s been less than ideal for the horse, but we’re more than happy with gate four this time.

“Behind the stalls he can just get a little bit fractious and just overthink the whole thing, but I think with time he’s got better. He can also be a little bit keen, but having watched him in his races, he looks likes he’s just starting to settle a bit better.

“I certainly wouldn’t swap him, I think he comes in with a nice chance.”

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Bentley also partners Caspar Fownes-trained debutant Sky Heart in the Class Four Lei Muk Shue Handicap (1,200m), as well as Run Run Cool for Frankie Lor Fu-chuen in the Class Three Choi Yuen Handicap (1,000m).

“I saw Sky Heart trial at Conghua, that’s all I know, but he looks all right to me. It’s quite nice to have a young one who is unproven but has shown a bit in the trials,” Bentley said.

“I think Run Run Cool is a horse who has come down to a mark now that he’s got to be more competitive off. His last win came off a rating of 75 and he’s down to 69 now. You’ve got to say his form has been disappointing but I know on his day he can be better than that.”