Chris Dobey has been backed all the way down from 33/1 to 10/1 to win the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, after he stunned pre-tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen in an action-packed last 16 clash on Thursday.
Reigning champion Van Gerwen twice missed a dart at the bull to land the first nine-darter at the World Grand Prix since James Wade and Robert Thornton achieved perfection in the same match in 2014.
However, it was Dobey who celebrated victory in a five-set thriller at Leicester's Morningside Arena, sealing the deal with a brilliant 156 checkout to tee up a quarter-final clash with Joe Cullen on Friday.
“Obviously nobody has been speaking about me, although they might start now after beating Michael," Dobey told BoyleSports post-match.
"This is our bread and butter back up north. I’m used to playing this format, and it’s what I’ve been brought up on.
"I don’t know how they can’t put me in the mix. The majority of the leagues up there are double-start, but I’m happy to go under the radar.”
Luke Humphries is now third favourite at 10/3, but 2020 champion Gerwyn Price (15/8) and top seed Michael Smith (3/1) are rated the most likely contenders ahead of respective quarter-finals against Martin Schindler and Andrew Gilding.
Lawrence Lyons, Spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Michael van Gerwen’s exit leaves Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith vying for favouritism, but the likes of Luke Humphries and Chris Dobey are taking some shrewd money, so it’s really up for grabs over the weekend.”
All the latest odds for the 2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix can be found here.
Two Sets Ahead Offer! – If your player goes two sets ahead, BoyleSports will settle as a winner even if they go on to lose the match.
BoyleSports World Grand Prix Outright
15/8 Gerwyn Price
3/1 Michael Smith
10/3 Luke Humphries
10/1 Peter Wright
10/1 Chris Dobey
11/1 Joe Cullen
25/1 Martin Schindler
25/1 Andrew Gilding
Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy www.boylesports.com.
Subject to fluctuation. +18 Bet Responsibly, BeGambleAware.org