Michael Smith has seen his odds cut for BoyleSports World Grand Prix glory, after the St Helens star moved through to the quarter-finals of the double-start event for the first time on Wednesday.
The world number one cruised to a 3-0 victory over 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan in round two, producing back-to-back 105 checkouts to cap off a dominant display at the Morningside Arena.
Smith, who also dispatched Callan Rydz in the first round, has now been backed down to 10/3 from 5/1 with title sponsor BoyleSports, as he bids to continue his breakthrough run in Leicester.
“I'm over the moon to get past the second round. It's one tournament that has really got on my nerves," admitted Smith, speaking to BoyleSports following his demolition of Dolan.
"Hopefully, in four more days it's a tournament I love, with a title. I’ve just got to keep focused.”
Smith's move in the betting puts him hot on the heels of 2020 winner Gerwyn Price [9/4] and reigning champion Michael van Gerwen, who is currently priced at 5/2.
Price also sealed his quarter-final spot with a straight-sets win against Krzysztof Ratajski, and the Welshman now faces a last eight encounter with Martin Schindler, who dashed Stephen Bunting's hopes on Wednesday.
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, continues his defence of the title against Masters champion Chris Dobey on Thursday, as the Dutch superstar eyes a seventh double-start crown this weekend.
Lawrence Lyons, Spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “We can barely separate Price and Van Gerwen, but Michael Smith is certainly warming to the unique format of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, and it's a blockbuster battle now at the head of the betting.”
All the latest odds for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix 2023 can be found here.
BoyleSports World Grand Prix Outright
9/4 Gerwyn Price
5/2 Michael van Gerwen
10/3 Michael Smith
11/2 Luke Humphries
18/1 Peter Wright
25/1 Ryan Searle
25/1 Martin Schindler
25/1 Andrew Gilding
33/1 Joe Cullen
33/1 Ross Smith
33/1 Chris Dobey
66/1 Luke Woodhouse