LONDON, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
SNOOKER legend Jimmy White delighted his army of fans when he dropped into Betfred's flagship store in Chinatown. The 'Whirlwind' was in town to promote this year's Betfred.com World Championship, which starts on Saturday and runs until 7th May at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. And the green baize golden oldie used his visit to the firm's Gerrard Street branch to tip talented Chinese potter his favourite player to win this year's title. White, a six-time Crucible finalist, took time out of his busy schedule to pose for pictures with the sought-after World Championship trophy, with a growing gathering of fans all eager for his signature and a photo with the 'People's Champion'. This year's 17-day marathon tournament offers a cool £250,000 top prize and a £1.1million of prize money. "I just thing Ding could win it this year," predicted the 'Whirlwind'. "He's in the right frame of mind, he's come of age. "He won the Masters last year and put to bed the mental problems after he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Masters a few years ago, he found the pressure of the big occasion too much. "But now he's moved into a big house in Sheffield and seems very settled. He's got his girlfriend living with him and he's really come of age. He's definitely my tip for the title." Ding is being backed at odds of 12-1 by the tournament sponsor to win this year's title. And White, who has played the game long enough to realise how good a player Ding is, believes the youngster's growing experience could be his asset this year as millions of snooker fans again tune in to watch him compete for the title. A staggering 100million people in China tuned in to watch Ding compete in last year's tournament, reaching the semi-final stages before he was edged out. "Ding's won two UK Championship titles and he's won the Masters as well, so that's the two biggest tournaments outside the World Championship" added White. "He's a quality all-round player. He's a superstar in China. "He's been in great form this season, he's got a great chance of winning this one. "The Chinese love gambling and they love their snooker, so its very apt we came to Chinatown today with the Crucible trophy. "I really think Ding has the best chance of winning the title since I first watched him." Earier in the day White accompanied Steve Davis, the six-time world champion, and Barry Hearn, the World Snooker chairman, at the live first round draw at the TalkSport radio studios in Waterloo. And the 'Whirlwind' picked out Ronnie O'Sullivan's first round draw with Peter Ebdon as the pick of the opening matches. Triple world champion O'Sullivan and 2002 Crucible champion Ebdon lock horns at the first hurdle, a repeat of their memorable 2005 Crucible quarter-final clash where the 'Rocket' capitulated after Ebdon ground him down with his slower playing style. "That's a tasty match, I can't wait for that one," added White. "I can't wait for the the tournament to start, there's so many great matches to look forward too." Betfred.com World Championship - 1st round draw: John Higgins v Liang Wenbo, Stuart Bingham v Stephen Hendry, Stephen Maguire v Luca Brecel, Graeme Dott v Joe Perry, Shaun Murphy v Jamie Jones, Stephen Lee v Andrew Higginson, Ali Carter v Mark Davis, Judd Trump v Dominic Dale, Mark Williams v Liu Chuang, Ronnie O'Sullivan v Peter Ebdon, Martin Gould v David Gilbert, Neil Robertson v Ken Doherty, Ding Junhui v Ryan Day, Mark Allen v Cao Yupeng, Matthew Stevens v Marco Fu, Mark Selby v Barry Hawkins.
Betfred World Snooker Championship outrights
5/1 - Judd Trump
7/1 - Mark Selby
8/1 - Ronnie O'Sullivam
9/1 - John Higgins
9/1 - Neil Robertson
12/1 - Ding Jinhui
12/1 - Mark Allen
14/1 - Stephen Maguire
16/1 - Shaun Murphy
20/1 - Mark Williams
28/1 - Stephen Lee
40/1 - Graeme Dott
66/1 - Peter Ebdon
80/1 - Ali Carter
80/1 - Marco Fu
80/1 - Stephen Hendry
80/1 - Matthew Stevens
80/1 - Ryan Day
100/1 - Martin Gould
100/1 - Luca Brecel
100/1 - Liang Wenbo
125/1 - Barry Hawkins
150/1 - Joe Perry
150/1 - Mark Davis
150/1 - Ken Doherty
200/1 - Andrew Higginson
250/1 - Jamie Jones
250/1 - Liu Chuang
300/1 - Dominic Dale
300/1 - David Gilbert
400/1 - Cao Yupeng
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