Crucible Analysis

Things at The Crucible are warming up nicelywith no major shocks so far - though Martin Gould's 10-9 defeat of Marco Fu was a bit of a surprise. To be honest Fu is a strange kind of player. Sometimes I watch him when he is amongst the balls and cueing well and I think - How has this man not won more than he has?  He is sublime when playing well and capable of beating anybody on his day. I didn't see much of this match but he clearly wasn't reaching those heights.

Lets look at the chances  of the two favourites for the tournament.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Without a shadow of doubt, the greatest player I have ever seen. When he feels like it.

Unfortunately, nobody can ever tell which Ronnie is going to turn up - the sublime talent who can blitz through a World Class field without breaking a sweat and make the game look ridiculously easy - or - the lacklustre, shambling pox bottle who can't string 3 pots together and looks like he would rather have his teeth pulled than face another game of snooker.

He has had a poor season by his standards and he looks like he has fallen out of love with the game again.

He could easily win - and if he does, no one will be happier than me - but he is clearly not a betting proposition at 7/2. We would all go quickly broke making wagers like that. I still think our lay of The Rocket is the smart play - despite the fact he is looking very smooth and settled at 7-2 up against Liang Wenbo in the first round.

John Higgins

The Wizard of Wishaw is looking even more solid than usual this year. Provisionally World Number 1 for next season, he looks like he will take a lot of beating. However one big stat stands between him and the trophy this year. No one has won consecutive world titles since Stephen Hendry dominated snooker in the mid 90's. It is a very difficult thing to do requiring huge slices of good fortune or total dominance of the game.

Again, like O'Sullivan, he could easily win this but in a closely matched 32 runner field I just can't have John Higgins as a 9/2 chance.

Having the front two at such short prices has created some serious value further down the field. I'm happy with the bets we have made so far.

I must dash now as I am running late. Off to Wolverhampton in a bit to see whether my runner ( I say my runner - mine and 49 other shareholders runner if truth be told!) Always de One can break her duck in the 4.45. I advise a watching brief on this one, dear readers.

I will give you my opinion on the Other World Title contenders when I get back tonight.

Hope you all have a great day.