2017 Ladbrokes World Grand Prix: Murphy well priced to retain title
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We’re now just one day away from the return of the Ladbrokes World Grand Prix, where the top 32 players on the circuit will battle it out for a cool £100k. But before a ball is potted, we’re taking a look at the favourites for the trophy.
And it’s no surprise to see a certain somebody at the head of the market…
Ronnie O’Sullivan – 7/2
Remarkably, this is a tournament the Rocket is yet to win.
He reached the final two years ago, yet was knocked out in the First Round in 2016 to then-world number 22, Michael Holt.
Having climbed to fifth in the rankings in the last 12 months, O’Sullivan will face a slightly easier task in Yan Bingtao this time out.
Heading into this tournament having just won the Masters, Ronnie will be looking to bounce back from a First Round exit in the German Masters last week.
As is so often the case with the Rocket, if he’s on his game, he’ll win the tournament. A lot will depend on how he fares in his opening match. But if he comes through it unscathed, you can expect to see his odds tumble.
Mark Selby – 5/1
Of course, we couldn’t head into a ranking tournament without the world number one being amongst the market leaders.
But similarly to O’Sullivan, Selby is yet to add this trophy to his cabinet.
He actually lost out to Tom Ford in last year’s First Round and faced a Last 16 exit back in 2015.
But that shock defeat last time out in this competition means he’ll head to this year’s event in Preston with a point to prove.
Unfortunately for Martin Gould, he’ll face Selby in the First Round, and the 35-year-old is a 50/1 shot to go all the way this year.
However, it’s more likely he’ll exit the competition at the first time of asking, as he’ll head into this one off the back of a relatively poor 2016.
Victory over Gould would stand Selby in good stead to go all the way this year.
Shaun Murphy – 16/1
Meanwhile, the reigning champ is seriously worth considering too.
Murphy dropped just one frame in his opening three matches of this competition last year, and he’ll want to pick up where he left off in the Grand Prix.
The world number five will certainly prove a tough nut to crack, and opponents will be hoping he’s having an off day if they’re to stand any chance of beating him.
The former world champ has been backed by many heading into this event. And at 16/1, our traders may just have missed a trick here.
Ladbrokes Latest Betting
2017 Ladbrokes Grand Prix winner:
Ronnie O’Sullivan – 7/2
Mark Selby – 5/1
Judd Trump – 8/1
Neil Robertson – 10/1
John Higgins – 10/1
Ding Junhui – 10/1
Shaun Murphy – 16/1
20/1 bar
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
