The women’s 3,000m steeplechase field is one of the trickiest events of the games to evaluate but little work is needed to realise that world-champion Yuliya Zaripovahas an outstanding chance on her title winning triumph of last year.
Since the start of 2009, Zaripova has finished 13 steeples and won 11 of them, and while she lies only fourth in the standings for times this year, she beat Milcah Chemos Chewa (world leader this year) by miles when romping the worlds. It’s unlucky that she’ll be allowed to take as much of a grip on the race as she did when winning the Worlds but she was still more than 4 seconds clear at the end and that makes her the outstanding candidate to beat Chemos Chewa once again.
Chemos Chewa is a dangerous opponent though, particularly as she feels that’s she should Have challenged Zaripova's dominance of the race in Deagu and is sure to push her harder, and those who want a heavy punt can back her at 6/11 to medal.
World silver medallist Habiba Boudraa had had only run 9:20 going into the Worlds but ended up coming second in 9:11.97, and is 8/5 for a medal here, which seems to be a fair shout considering that she beat Ethiopian national record holder Sofia Assefa – second to Chemos on three occasions this year – in a Diamond league meeting in Paris by more than a second.
An honourable mention goes to Gulnara Galkina, winner of the first women's Olympic 3000m Steeplechase title and who did it fantastically running the World's first - and only - sub nine minutes time, who had previously set three Steeplechase World records including the ultimate mark of 8:58.81 which won her the title in Beijing four years ago.
Advice
2 pts Yuliya Zaripova (6/5 general)
1 pt Habiba Boudraa to medal (8/5 Bwin)
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