Ladbrokes Masters

[Fader]

In what feels like an age, we're back on the oche with the Ladbrokes Masters. It's the first TV event of the new season. In 2020 Wright won the Worlds and then the Masters straight after and he is indeed the favourite to win the 60k prize 2 years later.

I'm going to take 2 main bets at the top half and that's Michael Smith and Clayton. I think both performed to a very high standard at the Worlds and I think the price is good on them when you consider that performance. Smith is getting closer and closer with the big event win and those nervy doubles are slowly but surely becoming less frequent. Clayton is the reigning champion ofcourse and absolutely destroyed the field last year. 4 out of 5 of his wins were 100+ averages and even at the Worlds he lost to Smith with a big 100+ average. 7/1 is good value.

I think Wright makes the final from the bottom half, but I want a player to follow and I'll take a chance on Joe Cullen. I was tempted to try and take Gary Anderson in the bottom half but I just think he won't care asmuch for this event as the Worlds. We saw it last year when Anderson went out tamely to Adrian Lewis with a low 90 average. Cullen just wasn't good enough at the Worlds and left matches too late but on his day he can beat anyone and that's enough for me to have a point punt on him to represent the bottom half. 

Finally, also from the top half, I'll take Van Den Bergh at 25s. Just a silly price. Yes, he lost early at the Worlds but he had a 100+ average in that loss and Hempel was checking out everything. I don't think that you could say he's 25s in any event.

2pts e/w J. Clayton to win Ladbrokes Masters 7/1 paddypower (1/2, 2 places)
2pts e/w M. Smith to win Ladbrokes Masters 9/1 paddypower (1/2, 2 places)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1pt e/w Van Den Bergh to win Ladbrokes Masters 25/1 coral (1/2, 2 places)
1pt e/w J. Cullen to win Ladbrokes Masters 50/1 paddypower (1/2, 2 places)

[Fader]

3pts Searle, Cross and Van Den Bergh treble 3/1 skybet
2pts Searle, Cullen, Ratajski, Humphries and Van Duijvenbode all to win 7/1 skybet