Desert golf continues and whilst we have a solid form line of this type of golf over the past few months there remains a few opportunities to be had with the books. Despite a nice winner with Smith and a handful of big priced placers we can feel slightly aggrieved that none of those have shown the sufficient calmness to dispose of rivals on the final day. Palmer was another Sunday nosedive we could have done without. Nevertheless we're going well and we look to the Saudi International to continue on our merry way.

The course is wide open and suits those who can bash the ball as far as possible. This played out last year with Dustin and Haotong tearing the place apart. More of the same should play out this time once again with favourable weather on the way for the four playing days. The bookmakers are now alive to a fair few desert specialists and less of the really strong bets await. Lewis is now into 33s top price which isn't tempting enough despite thinking that he'll go well again. Dustin and Koepka head the market with the latter being the much more tempting price. Dustin produced some decent moments during his outing in Hawaii but there was a lot of wayward golf and I don't think he is anywhere near his best. Despite returning as defending champion I'd rate Koepka's chances just as good. Koepka started in spectacular fashion in Abu Dhabi only to be disappointing as the week continued and maybe he is best left for when his attention turns stateside.

ABRAHAM ANCER (28-1 / 6 places) turned up the heat at the Presidents Cup before Christmas being joint top points scorer and having gone well since looks a decent prospect to land the spoils here in Saudi Arabia. The Mexican has shown a fondness for Desert golf recently finishing 2nd in the American Express a few weeks ago. He is also a fine traveller with a win coming in Australia and top 5s in China and Canada. Overall Ancer could go on to achieve much bigger things, especially after that impressive performance at Royal Melbourne. I was hoping for a slightly bigger price but 28/1 is fair and I'd have him ahead of a few above him in the market.

1.75pts each-way A. Ancer 28/1 (1/5 6 places)

Abraham Ancer - 1.75pts e/w @ 28/1

MARTIN KAYMER (35-1 / 8 places) looks a decent price this week and with a sparkling desert record to fall back on has to be a lively runner in this field. 8th and 16th were two very respectable efforts the past few weeks and with a few bookmakers overreacting to some recent form in others, Kaymer looks on a good mark. Links and Desert form have always been linked and two links wins help his cause as well as all his heroics in Abu Dhabi. He also went close in the desert in the States finishing 2nd in the 2011 Matchplay. There are signs things are beginning to turn for Kaymer and he looks a solid proposition this week.

1.5pts each-way M. Kaymer 35/1 (1/5 8 places)

Martin Kaymer - 1.5pts e/w @ 35/1

ADRI ARNAUS (60-1 / 6 places) remains on a workable mark and must be supported around the 60/1 mark. The Spaniard has had an excellent record since joining the tour with three runner up finishes and he added a super result last week with a third place spot in Dubai. This kid could achieve an awful lot in the game and I'm surprised by the reaction in the market between him and Lewis. Lewis was a bigger price than Arnaus in places last week and finished alongside the Spaniard in 3rd. This week Lewis' top price is 33/1, whilst Arnaus is 60/1. Lewis' third place here last year is much to do with that price differential but surely there's not much between these two and I'm prepared to back up that thinking with a solid bet.

1pt each-way A. Arnaus 60/1 (1/5 6 places)

Adri Arnaus - 1pt e/w @ 60/1

MARCUS KINHULT (90-1 / 7 places) may be one to keep an eye on having shaken off some rust last week after a few months break. The Swede was impressive in defeat when narrowly losing out to Fkeetwood in a playoff for the Nedbank in November. A top 20 at the Earth Course the following week backed up an already solid desert record. As we know Links records are important around these parts also and he has a big positive having won the British Masters at Hillside. In 2018 he finished 3rd in Qatar and 3rd in Portugal which are two events we always look to during these weeks. Top 20 last year here in Saudi on his first look was decent and I think the bookmakers have slightly underestimated his chances this time around.

0.75pt each-way M. Kinhult 90/1 (1/5 7 places)

Marcus Kinhult - 0.75pts e/w @ 90/1

I'll finish with two outsiders. I've made no bones about how impressed I was with RASMUS HOJGAARD's (250-1 / 7 places) win in Mauritius and despite a handful of missed cuts since I believe he may turn that form on its head this week. The Dane will not have been suited by these recent tough tests and a return to a wide open layout with plenty of birdie opportunities will suit his swash buckling game. Finally I was taken by CONNOR SYME's (175-1 / 7 places) performances over the last few months and think he is a tad overpriced. Form of 11-9-22 across his last three tour events is very solid and he can hit the ball a mile to contend with the big hitters here this week. His fellow countryman Calum Hill was close to making the grade also given some impressive performances. Antoine Rozner, Dean Burmester and Sam Horsfield were the others were hard to leave off the staking plan this week.

0.5pt each-way R. Hojgaard 250/1 (1/5 7 places)

0.5pt each-way C. Syme 175/1 (1/5 7 places)

Rasmus Hojgaard - 0.5pts e/w @ 250/1
Connor Syme - 0.5pts e/w @ 175/1