2005 World Darts Championship

VC Bet have marked out in-form Ronnie Baxter as a genuine danger man for the 2005 World Darts Championship that gets underway on Boxing Day. Twice an Embassy World Championship runner-up, the Blackpool-born 43-year-old has the game to give punters a decent run for their money according to VC Bet's darts guru Cliff Wilds. "On current form he looks a very good bet to make the semis and from there on who knows," said Wilds. The firm currently quote the man nicknamed "The Rocket" at 16/1. "Baxter's semi-final run to the semis of the World Grand Prix in October was very impressive and that cracking match that Colin Lloyd won 6-5 could easily have gone the other way." Baxter, who is a former BDO and WDF No1, has experienced a handy 2004 that includes a semi-final appearance at the Scottish Open, a runner-up spot at the Bob Anderson Classic and victory in the Dutch Players Championship. "The way Baxter took care of Andy Smith in the final of the Dutch was superb. Smith had a three-dart average of 103.5 in the final and Baxter still beat him 3-0. That was some effort." Phil Taylor goes off as VC Bet's 4/7 favourite for the Circus Tavern spectacular in Purfleet. The Potteries legend was involved in an epic Purfleet final last year against Kevin Painter in which Taylor needed a sudden death final leg to win 7-6. Taylor will be aiming to win an incredible 12th world title. Wilds said that he will be looking to oppose 2003 winner John Part over the Festive period. "Part is a fine player but he seems to have dipped a little after the successes of 2004 and I can't see him doing much here. He looks to have piled on the pounds as well and that won't help." Outrights: P.Taylor 4/7, C.Lloyd 8/1, W.Mardle 12/1, J.Part 16/1, R.Baxter 16/1, P.Manley 25/1, M.Dudbridge 25/1, K.Painter 33/1, C.Mason 40/1, A.Warriner 50/1, R.Scholten 50/1, A.Jenkins 66/1, S.Beaton 100/1, D.Smith 125/1, D.Ovens 125/1, R.Anderson 125/1, D.Priestley 200/1. Others on request. E/W 1/2 odds 1,2VC Bet offers new users a free fifty pound bet which you can use to bet on the darts.