Rocket among those cut to enjoy Crucible success

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN was cut from 9-1 to 8-1 on Friday to land a fourth World Championship triumphin 17 days’ time by sponsors Betfred, who will refund outright stakes if Judd Trump wins the title.

However, the Rocket, whom Betfred report is a £200,000 loser in their outright book, can still be backed at 10-1 with Hills to reign at the Crucible, where the action starts on Saturday morning.

Tournament favourite Trump has been well supported with bet365 and Betfred and the UK champion, who found only John Higgins too good last year at the Crucible, is still available at 5-1 for the title.

Betfred say Welsh Open champion Ding Junhui, whom the legendary Jimmy White has tipped to take the crown, has been backed each-way but world No. 1 and second seed Mark Selby is virtually friendless with bookmakers after sustaining a debilitating neck injury in Beijing last month which forced him to pull out of the China Open.

Defending champion John Higgins and Players Tour Championship Grand Finals winner Stephen Lee, himself a former No. 1 on the old world-ranking system, have also been popular with bet365.

Download FridayApril 20's RPSPORT PDF now for our bumper Betfred.com World Championship betting package - containing outright preview, specials advice, what the bookmakers' think and all the form, results, prices and stats needed for a successful Crucible punting campaign

Read Saturday's Racing Post for Adrian Humphries' opening day first-round match recommendations