The Snooker season is relentless. The Masters came to an epic conclusion, late on Sunday night and on Monday we have another major ranking event in the form of the World Grand Prix. We’ve previewed this one for you and, as always, provided you our best bets for the occasion.
World Grand Prix Snooker 2023 Tips
History and format
The World Grand Prix only dates back to 2015 but due to the ranking of the event, the strength of the field and a healthy £380,000 prize fund, has quickly grown to be an important fixture in the snooker calendar.
The event was first held at the Venue Centre in Llandudno, Wales and over the years has moved around the UK and this year returns to it’s former home of the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse.
The 32 players are comprised of the top 32 in a one-year ranking list, which ultimately decides the ranking list for the draw and is headed by Northern Irishman Mark Allen.
Previous winners here include the brand new Masters champion, Judd Trump (11/2), who is a three time winner here and admitted he was just wanting to go get smashed after his latest win.
Ronnie O’Sullivan (5/1), played excellently at Ally Pally and will be looking to defend his 2022 World Grand Prix crown.
One notable absentee is the Scot John Higgins, who failed to qualify for the competition.
The tournament runs from the 16th to 22nd January and will be broadcast by the ITV and Eurosport.
Stage: Prize
Winner: £100,000
Runner-up: £40,000
Semi-final: £20,000
Quarter-final: £12,500
Last 16: £7,500
Last 32: £5,000
Highest break: £10,000
Total: £380,000
Neil Robertson to win – 9/2
The Australian was a shock first round omission at the Masters, after coming up against an inspired Shaun Murphy, to lose 6-4.
The 40-year-old actually looked in pretty good nick in the match, however, scoring a century, with two other fifty breaks en route.
Robertson looks to have the more favourable half of the draw and would avoid the likes of Allen, Selby, O’Sullivan and Lisowski, until a potential final.
If he can get past China’s Xiao Guodong in the first round, he would likely play Ryan Day and then a potential quarter final with Trump.
After a good rest last week, I fancy him to pick up his 2nd Grand Prix title this week.
Stuart Bingham each-way (1/2 2 places) – 28/1
One man who did have an amazing tournament last week, was Stuart Bingham. The 46-year-old looks back to his devastating best and looked imperious in marching to the semi finals, where he met eventual winner Trump.
Bingham raced to a 5-0 lead against Kyren Wilson before wining 6-3 and then smashed Shaun Murphy 6-0 in the quarters.
The former World Champion knocked in five century breaks across the two matches and has rediscovered his phenomenal break building touch.
He has a tough opening round match against Ding Junhui and then a potential barn stormer against Masters finalist Mark Williams.
I think Bingham can have another successful week in Cheltenham.
*All prices correct at the time of writing.
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