Snooker expert Richard Mann previews Tuesday's first round action from Preston's Guild Hall with Judd Trump taken to oblige.
Recommended bets: World Grand Prix Day Two
2pts Judd Trump to beat Michael White (-2.5) at 11/8
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First round action continues in the World Grand Prix at Preston's Guild Hall on Tuesday and Judd Trump gets his campaign underway when he takes on Michael White.
The Bristol potting machine has been one of the most consistent performers on the tour this season, lifting the European Masters trophy in October and making the final of the Shanghai Masters the following month.
Since the turn of the year, Trump has maintained that strong run of form with semi-final finishes in the Masters at the Alexandra Palace and the German Masters.
A sublime break builder and one of the best long potters the game has produced, Trump invariably proves too hot for the lower-ranked players to handle and is expected to progress to round two with the minimum of fuss.
White hasn't really fired since losing out in the quarter-finals of the Champion of Champions in December and though a very capable player on his day, he could have his work cut out against an in-form Trump who looks worth a wager to cover the handicap (-2.5 frames) at 11/8.
Former World Champion Neil Robertson has shown signs of a return to his best in recent months, most notably when claiming an emotional victory in the Scottish Open just before Christmas.
However, he was subsequently dumped out of the early stages of the German Masters, suggesting he might not have completely turned the corner just yet, and it will be fascinating to see how he fares this week.
His first round opponent here, David Gilbert, hasn't been much easier to predict in this campaign but he played really well when losing out to Mark Joyce in the last 32 of the German Masters, breaks of 101, 84, 84 and 68 not enough to earn him victory in a high-quality affair.
Gilbert progressed to the last 16 of the European Masters earlier in the season, losing out to eventual winner Trump on that occasion, and made the quarter finals of the World Open in China back in September, again illustrating his capabilities when on song.
This represents a tricky opener for Robertson and the 12/5 on offer about Gilbert could prove a touch of value.
With Shaun Murphy regularly making the latter part of tournaments this term, Ricky Walden will have no margin for error when they meet.
One of the finest cueists on the circuit, Murphy has reached the semi-finals of the German Masters and the quarter-finals of the Masters in London in recent months and only found Ronnie O'Sullivan too strong in the UK Championship.
With Walden proving much more difficult to predict, Murphy should prove hard to beat.
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