Harry Bentley is “raring to go” and determined to make an immediate impact when he returns from his two-month suspension with six rides at Happy Valley on Thursday night.

Bentley received the lengthy ban and a HK$300,000 fine in November after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct centred around him relaying information about horses to people who weren’t the owners.

After enjoying a recent freshen up in Thailand, the British rider says he has been put through his paces with a strict training schedule to make up for lost time.

“It’s been a long few weeks, but I’m really looking forward to getting back in the plate,” Bentley said. “I went away to Thailand for a couple of weeks, which was nice, and I’ve been really focusing on my training. I’m super fit, feeling great and raring to go.”

On Tuesday morning, Bentley was placing the finishing touches on his preparation for Thursday’s eight-race card by fulfilling his Sha Tin barrier trial commitment aboard the Douglas Whyte-trained Eagle Run.

Cutting a determined figure as he strode into the sand ring to saddle up, the 31-year-old appeared full confidence ahead of his return.

“I’ve got six rides on Thursday, which is a nice number to kick off with. Hopefully, I have a couple of good chances,” Bentley said. “I’m certainly looking forward to riding M Unicorn. He’s had a fantastic season so far and done nothing but improve.”

The Caspar Fownes-trained M Unicorn opened his account under Bentley when the pair recorded a dominant three-length win in the Class Four Magpie Handicap (1,650m) on September 27.

After a disappointing effort in October, M Unicorn swooped around the outside of his rivals with Vincent Ho Chak-yiu in the saddle to bounce back in the Class Four Tai Tam Handicap (1,650m) on November 11.

Following another six-point hike in the ratings, M Unicorn obliged with Ryan Moore doing the steering at the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship on December 6 to claim a third course and distance success.

“He suits Happy Valley very well,” Bentley said ahead of M Unicorn’s run in the Class Three Nightjar Handicap (1,650m). “To win the way he did when I rode him was impressive. It wasn’t the most conventional way, but he’s gone up a lot in the ratings, and he’s clearly a horse who’s still on the up.

“The penny has really dropped. I don’t want to say it’s dropping because he’s won three times this season, and he’s certainly on the improve. With such a light weight on his back, hopefully he can be there at the finish.”

Bentley notched seven wins at a strike rate of 10 per cent to begin the 2023-24 campaign, and he is hoping to take advantage of the absence of Zac Purton and James McDonald.

“It opens things up a little bit more,” Bentley said. “I’ll be doing my best to capitalise on that.”

As well as M Unicorn, Bentley will also team up with Fownes for Winning Icey’s seasonal reappearance in the Class Two Albatross Handicap (1,200m).

“He felt great when I rode him,” Bentley said. “He hasn’t run this season, so he’s going to be coming in fresh. He’s got solid form at Happy Valley, so we’ll see what he can do.”

Spicy So Smart, Big Two, Harmony Fire and Hoss complete Bentley’s Happy Valley book.