US dominated events are a bread and butter feature of Athletics
and the 110m hurdles is a picture of American excellence, with Arles Meritt and
David Oliver put well clear of the rest. Meritt dominated this discipline last
year, transcending track and field for a brief moment when landing the Olympic
title and shattering the World record, but strained a hamstring at the IAAF
Diamond League meeting in Shanghai back in May and has been playing catch up
ever since, opening the door to fellow American David Oliver, the world’s fastest
man this year with 13.03 who was himself bedevilled by calf problems for much
of the last two seasons which have only just gone away, allowing him to finally
show something like his best. Only fourth at Deagu in 2011, he comes here with
Diamond League wins at Lausanne and London to his name and looked ready to go
at least as fast in the heats when winning in a time of 13.050 seconds, notably
faster than any of the other three heat winners.
A return to form from title holder Jason Richardson should see
him launch a bold bid although there’s a feeling that Oliver wasn’t at his best
in either 2011 or 2012 and he can make amends here with the gold.
Hansle Parchment’s 13.05 winning time in Eugene is gold
medal contention form but he twisted and ankle in the warmup for his National Championships
and it’s doubted whether he can bring around the same kind of money once again and
the Olympic Bronze winner can contend along with US Nationals winner Ryan
Wilson, who sprung a surprise at Des Moines but has finished no better than
fourth in the Diamond League since.
Mo Farah’s win was the highlight for British fans so far and
a 5,000 metre title is surely awaiting but Christine Ohurougu'S bid for a second
400m title is one of the other highlights. A proven championship performer and
the only track and field winner in Bejing, Ohurougu has been one of the
standard setter of British athletics and has enjoyed a fine last two years, defying
many negative predications, as is her want – she’s never entered a major final
as favourite - to make the Olympic 400m final, nearly running down Sanya
Richards-Ross but just running out of time.
Today her big rival is defending rival Amele Monstho, edged
out of a medal place in London, who has dominated the scene so far this season.
Attempting to become the second woman to
land back to back to back titles, Montsho has blazed a trail that few can
follow this season winning 6 Diamond League races this year and in the process
recording four of the 6 fastest times in the world. Imperious in the semi-final, she should take all the beating
but history shows the 400m to be a stamina event more than a speed one and that
has proven especially true in world and Olympic championship events, where
heavy racing in a short space of time can often leave one weak, and in what’s
priced as a two horse race the 15/8 about Ohurougu is the clear value with
Montsho at odds on. Home favourite Antonio Krivoshapka and Francena McCory are
two with chances, but a lot of ground to make up on all known form.
The 100m is also marketed as a two horse race, despite the
incredible strength in depth this year - 12 women have broken the 11-second
barrier this year - with Shelly Ann Fraser-Pyrce heavily fancied to give Jamaica
another big celebration in two days as a general odds on shot for the win. The gold
medal winner at London 2012, Fraser Pyrce comes here as the favourite but has
been beaten fair and square by Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, who was fancied by
us for Olympic gold but failed to show up in the final proper. However being a
long jumper – she’s taking in both events at these Championships – she’s now
switched her focus towards the straight track and showed improvement when
beating today’s rivals, including Fraser-Pryce, convcingly at the Anniversary
Games. If upholding that form, she’s the clear value of the top two in the
market so take a chance on Hills’ 15/8.
Advice
1 pt David Oliver to win Men’s 110m Hurdles (10/11 Paddy
Power)
1 pt Christine Ohurougu to win Women’s 400m (15/8 Spreadex)
1 pt Blessing Okagbare to win Women’s 100m (15/8 Hills)
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