Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
So it seems the worst-kept secret in racing is a secret no more, Ladbrokes having been confirmed this morning as the new sponsors of the race formerly known as the Hennessy. I shall miss its former title but it’s surely a mistake to be sentimental about sponsors who no longer wish to stump up the readies and, in all fairness to Ladbrokes, they are going to bump up the prize money to a quarter of a million.
In today’s opener at Newcastle, there’s been some support for an interesting Ken Slack runner. Beeno (1.40) is down to 5-2 second-favourite from an opening 11-2 for a hurdle race that will be just his second try in a handicap.
Having joined Slack in the summer, he showed his first form since in a Kelso handicap just after Christmas, moving nicely into contention before running out of gas. He has more to offer and this could be a good time to catch him, down in trip and with a couple of pounds less to carry.
David Rees is having a fine January, with three wins from four runners, which draws the eye to Steel Native (4.20), his runner in the last at Bangor. This points winner was briefly in the argument on his handicap debut at Ffos Las last time, when the heavy going was possibly too much for him and his claiming amateur. Paul Moloney rides this time and I like odds of 9-2.
