Outright Picks - European Challenge Tour

Total stake 8 points

Jordan Smith - Yep, if you followed in on the R2O ante-post bet, last week's victory was a boost to an otherwise disappointing week when all four bets had a chance going into the weekend. I rate the Englishman as highly as anyone on the Tour, and whilst respect is shown to certain future multiple winner Romain Langasque, they are both the same price in my book and Smith has shown corking form on various tracks throughout his EuroPro and Algarve events. He should arguably be shorter despite trying to go back-to-back.

Lorenzo Gagli - Great to see this once-promising player back to form last week, ever present on the Egypt scoreboard and possibly only a double-bogey (5th hole final day) away from something far better than T5. Been on the 'missing list' since a top-50 on the main Tour but is now at the age golfers are expected to peak (30) and plays positional courses well as top-3s at St Omer and Gloria suggest. This looks a perfect option to continue last week's recovery and I was surprised to see him at such a big price.

Chris Hanson - Writes one the best blogs on Tour and, unlike others, is happy to share all thoughts on his website and crucially keep them updated. Another that plays toughish courses well through patience and thought, he writes that he has had a decent warm-up to the season on the improving MENA tour, before a first round 72 at the 'the most brutal test of golf I have ever experienced'. He was unfortunately blown off the course during the second round but has been very pleased with the season in terms of practise and coaching and can be expected to thrive on thinkers' tracks. Top-10 at venues such as Turkish National, Denmark Royal and Hartl all point to his chances whilst the track has been used twice in recent history with English and Spanish players doing particularly well. If it got very tough after recent rain, he would be one of a couple I would expect to thrive.

Sam Walker - Here is the other! Another very experienced player with huge form when it the going gets tough. Has plenty of form at St.Omer, Foshan, Albatross (Czech) as well as top-10s in higher level European grade and bids to follow up an excellent opening 8th at the narrow-playing Karen in Kenya. Last year, Walker followed a top-5 at the same venue with a similar result at El Encin and it is hoped he can repeat that at a venue that we know suits (top-20 2006).

Alfredo Garcia-Heredia - Often playing on invites or through qualification, hasn't kicked on since playing well on the Alps Tour but does seem to enjoy playing at home and often makes my short-list when the tour plays here. 21/9/46/5 in his last four starts at this level in Spain (two missed-cuts, one at the highest level but with a 70 opening round) advertise that well and he won't lack for specific experience having finished just one shot off the win back in 2006, the last time the course was used on this Tour. Can't win most probably but given his form worth a pop at the price for a top-10.

Outright Picks - European Challenge Tour

Tipster: Jumbo

Odds: Outright