starts this evening, my favourite tournement of the year. had a couple of bets, had Whitlock for the outright winner and E/W bets on Colin Osbourne and Ted Hankey, who are way over priced in my opinion at 100/1
Hankey has had a terrible year. It took him until the other week in Crawley (so a good five months) to even reach the last 16 of a tournament. He's won barely 2k of prize money in that time as well. Justin Pipe is a decent big price outside bet. A good draw would give him a bit of luck, he's around 8th in the world now after earning over 30k this year already, and because of his slow play many players hate playing him.
Hankey form has been terrible i agree but if he is going to do anything in the PDC then this is the type of tournement were he can get on a roll and maybe advance to the latter stages, long shot i know but his odds reflect that. Justin Pipe, i was told 2 years ago about him and to watch his rise up the rankings which he duly has done. Like you say his tempo makes him a tough player to play, especially the Adrian Lewis type players, reminds me of Priestley in his measured approach.
Keep an eye out for a young lad who I know, Joe Cullen...making his way in the game after picking up some great scalps recently.....one for future!!!
Joe Cullen been around a few years now, got a good future if he carries on improving like he is. He lost in pdc event at barnsley to Phil Taylor in the final the other year.
Joe Cullen has earned over 30k himself this year which is very good as no TV tournament apart from the premier league has happened yet. He could go far this week. He's moving up the rankings quickly and is currently on course to make his Matchplay debut.