Our star daily duo of Rory Delargy and David Massey look ahead to the quality jumps action this Sunday.
Racing betting tips: Sunday January 18
1pt win Moon Rocket in 13:20 Windsor at 6/1 (General) – min 11/2
1pt win Planned Paradise in 15:35 Windsor at 7/2 (General) – min 100/30
1:20 Windsor
MOON ROCKET was not always fluent over hurdles but has impressed with how well he’s measured his fences in a couple of starts to date, defying a mark of 134 at Doncaster on debut and going down fighting in a match with Gamester’s Guy there last month (adjusted to his right on occasion, but looking nimble when doing so).
He wasn’t helped by having to make his own pace against a gelding with a superior turn of foot last time but showed an excellent attitude to reduce the deficit on the run-in and will surely get a good lead here from Doyen Quest, who was ridden aggressively when second to Salver in the Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
Windsor’s fences should be no problem to Moon Rocket, whereas Wade Out took time to warm up to his jumping at Cheltenham last time and is not one for maximum faith granted a jumping test. Jericho du Reponet didn’t really have a proper cut at his obstacles when beaten by Regent’s Stroll at Wincanton.
That pair are opposable, but Salver will be a tougher nut to crack, for all he was no match for Kitzbuhel in the Kauto Star. His Sandown win is the best form on offer, but the 5lb penalty he has for that gives the selection a fighting chance against him, and a strongly run race promises to bring more improvement from the likeable Moon Rocket.
15:35 Windsor
PLANNED PARADISE looks to have been teed up to a nicety for this and can reward decent support in a race he won last season.
He looked on the way back to form under 7lb amateur Johnjoe Murphy-Knight at Cheltenham in November, plugging away at one pace in the closing stages, and since then two runs at Ludlow over two and a half miles have, unsurprisingly, not seen him at his best, on both occasions outpaced and looking hard work. But he finished with running left last time and gave the impression he would do better with stronger handling and granted a stiffer test.
The step back up to a marathon trip today looks sure to help, as will Jack Tudor taking over in the saddle - he's 7lb higher in the weights when taking this 12 months ago (when Tudor again took over from a 7lb claimer) - and it’s hard to ignore the impression that this race has been a particular target for some time.
Williams has shown that he’s very good indeed at laying horses out for specific races, and while this is no Scottish National, the plan merits maximum respect again.
Preview posted at 10:52 GMT on 18/01/26
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