Czech Challenge

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Ryan Evans - 1.0 points ew @ 66-1 (Bet365)

Chris Hanson - 0.75 points ew @ 50-1 (Skybet)

Alexander Bjork - 0.35 points ew @ 100-1 (Bet365)

Nicolo Ravano - 0.25 points ew @ 125-1 (Skybet)

Niccolo Quinterelli - 0.15 points ew @ 400-1 (Skybet)

Another track where a low-scoring victor is expected. Not sure how these easy courses pave the way for a career on the European Tour, but confidence is a good thing and there is no doubt Nacho Elvira comes in to this week with that in bucketfuls.

The Spaniard has taken off this year after a learning season on the main Tour, proving too good at both the Madrid Open and at last week's Karnten Open, when finishing with a birdie to edge ahead of a strong off-the-pace challenge. He now lines up well clear at the top of the OOM and needing one more win to gain automatic promotion and a return to the big time, something he richly deserves. He does it with a slight grimace from this writer as he was one of those followed (and to be followed) at the higer level but such is life. Given Francois Calmels won both the Madrid and D&D in the same season, and that Elvira himself has recorded 21-under in both victories, the signs are pretty good for that elusive third victory and on that very score. The downside is that whilst he is was 50-1 last week, he has to be backed at 18-1 best this week, and that makes less than no appeal.

However short Elvira is, he still remains behind Ricardo Gouveia in the bookmakers pecking order. Even as a huge fan of the Portugese star that is hard to believe given the win record in this class (3-1 to the Spaniard) but he recorded his third top-10 in a row (and fourth top-12) and it cannot be long before he finally strikes and kicks on. Until then, offers of 12-1 have to be politely declined.

Top of my list for this event was Englishman Ben Evans but I actually wanted a bit bigger than the 25-1 on offer although one pundit was correct in saying I had no chance of that. Despite not winning, the 29-year-old has gained vital experience this year at the highest level and surely any repeat of the 12th at the Hero in India, 9th at the Trophee Hassan, or 15th at the recent Spanish Open is good enough to see him contend here. It won't have done him any harm to have competed at US Open qualifying school a couple of days ago when missing out on a ticket by just two shots (was very prominent until a poor second half to the final round) and he will love the wide fairways here this week and must be a huge chance - perhaps his aggressive style will suit in-running betting (calling the Skybet oddsmaker).

As posted earlier today the main bet is namesake Ryan Evans, who posted his best result last week when a closing 3rd and may well take that on to better things. A decorated amateur, Evans turned professional last year at 27 years of age but may reap the rewards of that patience very soon if last week's final round of 62 is a guide. Showing up well in the third round (5-under including 4 birdies and 1 eagle) he flew through the field on Sunday with a birdie barrage on his back-9, seven consectutive birdies recording a stunning 28. That proven ability to score low is vital this week and whilst he says it was a blur, he is riding a wave commenting he takes "massive confidence and momentum going forward". A respected oddsmaker believes that I have missed the boat now that Evans is a third of the odds available last week, but if that effort is the sign he is coming to his proven best, the 66-1 should still be value come payday.

Fellow Englishman Chris Hanson is another that has to be on the list and, given he is 30-1 elsewhere, he is backed at 50-1 as everything points to a big run and he'll act as a back-up. Having graduated from the EuroPro Tour with four wins behind him, he has improved every season finishing 88/87/53 and currently 13th on the OOM after a decent start to the year. It may well be that Hanson is the type to be with on a much tougher course such as when 6th in Denmark, but he also has that closing 4th in Madrid as well as wins and placed efforts at various Q-schools and Open qualifying. It really is a heads-or-tails if a birdie-fest is his thing, but with that top-10 here in 2013, I can't leave him out of the plan with that caveat to keep an eye on him for later events.

I backed Alexander Bjork a couple of times last year after some promising efforts. Back then he couldn't come on from some promising efforts before recording a 5th in Azerbaijan, but another year on and he may be able to use a similar finish in Austria to further his career. These aggressive players often make fools of you (and themselves) by ruining good play with silly errors and maybe he would have expected more having gone into Sunday in the final grouping. Playing alongside Elvira may have taught him a lesson in playing under pressure and perhaps he is now maturing enough to make hay - at 100-1 I'll take the chance.

I am not sure how much of 400-1 was laid about Nicolo Ravano earlier today but after his second top-12 of the season last week he can be considered improving enough to challenge this week. Despite his maiden status in all professional classes the soon-to-be 30-year-old has worked himself through the grades and has improved every year since arriving in this grade in 2012, ranking 62nd last year and currently 35th after five events. The Italian reached the final stages of the European Tour Q-School after a decent runner-up at Las Colinas and has shown that progress through the first third of this season culminating in that 11th last week in Austria. Current form is considered vital in this grade and he appears overpriced at 150-1 with one firm to prove it, although that has just gone and 125-1 is fine.

Finally, this week's Bergamaschi (where did he go after leading last week?), is fellow Italian Niccolo Quinteralli. The 26-year-old showed progressive and winning form on the Alps Tour before improving from 97th to 37th over the 2013/2014 seasons, and whilst this season's form leaves less to be admired, he is not a 400-1 shot in this field given his overall profile. I'll fully admit he could bomb out quickly but four top-10s and three further top-20s in 2014 suggest he has simply been out of form rather than a no-hoper. Can he hit his hat this week? I'll happily pay at the price.

Eranu. Oovavu. Ravano. Bon chance.