Murphy's law to rule again?(credit:
Billy R)
Shaun Murphy has been well backed to retain the UK Championship title since beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in last weekend's Premier League final but Betfred are happy to lay the Sale-based potter at a top-priced 15/2.
Murphy bounced back from a woeful start to the season when beating Marco Fu 10-9 in the Telford decider 12 months ago but will return in better heart this time.
“I couldn’t really have come here last year in worse form or any lower on confidence,” the 2005 world champion told worldsnooker.com.
"But once I got myself in the event I was able to play quite well. The final was a bit too tight for my liking. The idea is to get to 10 frames first, but also trying to keep your fingernails intact if you can.”
However, he will bid to become the first player to successfully defend a ranking title since O'Sullivan claimed back-to-back Welsh Open victories in 2004 and 2005 and Betfred feel he is one to take on.
“Although Murphy recently won the Premier League final, he has been beaten by two players ranked outside the top 25 in the two previous ranking events this season and still lacks a little bit in consistency,” said spokesman Jon Wilde.
The North-West firm are also best at 4/1 for the Rocket to add to his successes of 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2007 in snooker’s second most prestigious ranking tournament.
World champion John Higgins prevailed here in 1998 and 2000 and is 7/1 at totesport, while 2004 hero Stephen Maguire is 11/1 at Coral to secure a poignant success following the recent death of his grandfather Paddy.
“My granddad told me he wanted me to go to the UK Championship. That’s what he wanted me to do, and I will be carrying out his wishes,” the Scot told 110sport.tv.
“Naturally this is a sad time. But I can console myself thinking he did see me win and about how much he enjoyed being in York that night I won this title.”