Live on ITV 4: Thu 18.00: Co Stompe grabbed a last gasp win from 2-4 down to progress while Taylor is back to 8/15 to win (Ladbrokes).
Stompe fought back from 2-4 to win 5-4 and moves in to 66/1 at Coral from 100/1. Phil Taylor meanwhile notched a 5-3 win over Wes Newton and moves into 8/15 at Ladbrokes, the even money on offer yesterday at Skybet has long gone. Taylor’s conqueror, Ted Hankey, finished with 3 wins from 3 but the cruelty of the draw means that Hankey will, in all likelihood, meet Taylor in the quarters so The Count is a 40/1 shot at Sportingbet to win overall.
Elsewhere, Paul Nicholson went out by a hair’s breadth, edged out by Steve Beaton while Barney stormed through 5-1. Raymond van Barneveld is still available at 16/1 with Boylesports.
Tonight sees the start of Round 2, Rob Thornton is evens (888sport) to beat Wayne Jones, who is also evens at Totesport. This will be a close match but the former, who bagged 3 wins from 3 in decent style in the groups, can prevail.
O’Shea can overcome Jenkins at 4/5 (Skybet) and Anderson should have what it takes to beat Osborne at 8/15 (Betfred). The other match is an exciting tie between James Wade and Merv King in which 2nd seed Wade is 1/2 at Paddy Power but King really needs to be watched. A speculative punt on the 7/4 at Totesport on King is not without merit.
A Thornton, O’Shea and Anderson treble pays 22/5 at 888sport.
Compare all Grand Slam of Darts odds and bet at the best price.
