O'Sullivan - being backed to go well in Sheffield
ROCKET RONNIE IS CRUCIBLE FAVOURITE
By Andy Schooler
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is favourite across the board to regain the Embassy World Championship over the next fortnight - and already there has been some significant fiscal support for the 'Rocket'.
A Ladbrokes punter walked into a Perry Bar shop near Birmingham and
confidently backed The Rocket to be the last man standing on Thursday - to return
£35,000.
O'Sullivan, the 2001 winner, has come back to form in the past couple of months, winning the European Open and Irish Masters titles.
"This is the biggest antepost snooker bet of the season and represents the
growth in snooker betting," said Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes.
The potential big payout however poses Ladbrokes with something of a
calamity given that they are sponsoring Ronnie at this year's World
Championships.
"Clearly we want him, and indeed are sure, that Ronnie will go all the way
but the £35,000 will certainly be at the back of my mind when our man is
lifting the trophy!" added Fabricius.
O'Sullivan's reaction to the news was typically bullish: "This
Ladbrokes punter knows a good thing when he sees one! Only Ladbrokes take
those bets so good on them, they should be used to losing by now after
Cheltenham!"
The 'Rocket' can be backed at 3/1 with Globet but is as short as 9/4 with Sporting Odds.
Provisional world number one Mark Williams is second favourite and can be backed at 9/2 with Blue Square.
If the Welsh wizard does triumph, Paddy Power (who are sponsoring Williams) are offering to refund all ouright bets placed with the firm on the Championships.
Scots John Higgins and Stephen Hendry are 5/1 (general) and 13/2 (SportingBet) respectively.
Hills offer defending champion Peter Ebdon at 25/1 to defend his crown.
Many layers, including the tournament's official bookmakers Ladbrokes, have already priced up the first-round action with O'Sullivan 1/10 to see off Marco Fu in his first match. The Hong Kong star is an 11/2 shot.
Ladbrokes are also running a range of special bets, including what the highest break will be.
They are offering 2/1 against a 147 maximum being made, with 12/1 offered about the highest break being 139 or less.
O'Sullivan, Higgins and Hendry are 4/1 co-favourites to score the hghest break.
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