Aussie set to rule in York

SPORTS BETTING:

SNOOKER’S first major event of the season, the WilliamHill.com UK Championship, is under way with an Oldham interest.

Tara Leisure-based Joe Swail was today carrying the flag for this area in the 128-strong tournament at the Barbican Centre, York.

And while “The Outlaw” began the tournament as a 500-1 outsider, such is the open and competitive nature of snooker these days that you just never know.

Swail, who practices regularly at Tara with Moorside’s Michael Wild, was facing Michael White of Wales in the first round this morning.

Their respective rankings of 100 and 34 suggested the Welshman should come out on top, but dual world semi-finalist Swail enjoys the buzz of big tournaments and an early shock was on the cards.

He started today’s match as 7-4 to prevail, with White 8-15.

As for the tournament winner, many punters will back Ronnie O’Sullivan following his victory in last weekend’s Champion of Champions event.

But given his restrictive price of 4-1, I am passing him over in favour of 7-1 shot Neil Robertson of Australia, who comes into this event in excellent form and has a favourable draw.

The televised stages of the tournament begin on Saturday with the BBC doing the honours.

RECOMMENDATION: Neil Robertson, 7-1 (general).