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The rest of the field must be relieved that Irishman Sam Bennett is absent after dominating proceedings in last year's event, taking two Flat Stages and a further two in the Hills. One of those that did race in this event is German sprinter Pascal Ackermann, who finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th. He is fresh from winning the One Day Race in the 1st Classique Dunkerque. Surprised at the odds of 40/1 on offer for the win today.

Georgian native, 31-year-old American veteran Harris English, plays in the neighboring county of North Carolina in the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow this week. He won the Farmers Insurance Open back in January to snap a three-year winless run on the PGA Tour. He had his best-ever finish in a major, coming in 12th in this year's US Masters, and his 18th place finish in last year's PGA Championship was also a personal best. His game is in a good place with three top-twenty finishes in his last four tournaments, and he could very well hit another career best. 150/1 each way looks rewarding.

I cannot figure out how Justin Rose, a back-to-back runner-up in the British Open and US Masters (lost a heartbreaking playoff to Rory, and 6th in last year's PGA Championship), is quoted at 95/1 to win the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. I guess because he withdrew from last week's Truist Championship after two rounds, but was at the bottom of the competition anyway. I do not think he would enter if he was not ready to go. I will take my chances on a form horse in majors.

Swede and World Number Six Ludvig Aberg is starting to show his pedigree after numerous accolades won by him as a Collegiate Superstar. He has managed to win his second PGA Tour Trophy in this year's Genesis Invitational and finished a creditable 7th in the Masters. On the course of Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina, the six-foot-four-inch Swede can use his booming drives and looks to be on a course which would be beneficial to his strengths. My WIN ONLY selection at odds of 22/1 this week.

Sami Valimaki is showing a lot more maturity this year. Last year, he missed the cut in half of his 28 starts, and this time around, just 2 missed cuts from 12 events. He is 1 for 5 in made cuts in Majors so far, but this year he has already converted two, cashing in high finishes in the Houston Open (tied for 4th) and last week's Myrtle Beach Classic (tied for 7th). I think it's worth chancing the 26-year-old, six-foot-two-inch Finn who is in the top ten for putting this year and also ranks top twenty-five in strokes gained on the PGA Tour. Big price, a lot of upside.

Viktor Hovland of Norway is already a PGA Tour winner this year, taking the Valspar Championship. At the tender age of 27, he is already a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour. But the only looming fact is he has yet to add a Major Title to his resume. He has been close, particularly in the PGA Championship, where his two highest finishes in a Major have come in this competition in the past two years! He was runner-up in 2023 and third last year. In good form and with top experience in Majors (four top eights in sixteen Majors), he looks a steal of a price at 45/1 each way this week.

Notts nearly got relegated last year, finishing just above the bottom two. Now they are making hay and leading the County Championship through the opening five matches. Batting has improved with Captain Haseeb Hameed leading the way. Away win.

Both sides sit side by side in the Division Two table with only four points separating both sides currently. For me, a 50/50 match and the odds on the visitors Northants look worth taking in that case. 13/10 Northants.

Kent, relegated from Division One last year, were rock bottom with the lowest bonus points of the division. The same trend is emerging this year, and through five first-class matches, they have accrued just 3 points, the lowest batting bonus points in the division. Kent have been solid all around and look the value of the two sides at 11/10.

Lancs in second in Division Two remains undefeated through five First Class Matches. They play bottom side Derbyshire, who have yet to win one of their five matches played so far. Good odds on the visitors at 13/10.

Third-placed Middlesex hosts Leicestershire in this Division Two clash. The leaders have been very good in both batting and bowling, leading in both departments, and have won three of the five matches played so far. 11/10 on the visitors looks good.

Sussex Champions of Division Two have taken a good start to their promotion campaign, currently residing in third place in the ten-team Division One standings. They visit Somerset, struggling in ninth place. The odds are good on the visitors at 11/10.

Surrey are the defending champions of the County Championship Division One. The newly promoted Yorkshire are struggling to find their feet still. Surrey remains undefeated through five matches but have been frustrated with four no results. I think they will take a commanding grip on the match and beat the Yorkies.

A huge loss without the influential batsman James Vince dedicated to the red ball cause. It is showing in the standings where they are now only in 6th place. The Bears of Warwickshire are now up to third and remain undefeated through five County Championship matches. Hosts to win at 8/11.

Essex has some of the most exciting batting talent in the County Championship and were looking to build upon their fourth-place finish in the County Championship last year. Worcestershire has lost four of their five matches and are rooted to the bottom of the table. Essex for the win at 8/13.

I will make an ante-post selection on "Stephen 'The Bullet' Bunting" winning the Premier League this year. The world number five makes his debut, crowning his most successful year in the PDC last year, winning the Masters and making his breakthrough TV major. He has shown great consistency in the main events and, in an eight-man field, looks great value at odds of 16/1.

Canadian rider Derek Gee was runner-up in the King of the Mountains in his 2023 Giro. In excellent form and with a great major team in Israel - Premier Tech, he looks a great each way chance this time around at 40/1 to go one better.