Van Gerwen takes aim for third title glory

(47) B Haslam 5 9-3 (CD)......... J Watson 111 (27) A Balding 4 9-0 (D4) ....... D Probert 115 (28) W Haggas 5 9-0 ..................R Kingscote 108 (27) D Ivory 6 9-0 (BF, D6) ........................... J Duern 115

(88) K Dalgleish 4 9-0 (D) ............ S W Kelly — (10) M Channon 5 9-0 (D) ...............................C Bishop 112

(42) Archie Watson 5 9-0 (D3) ...... E Greatrex 109 BETTING: 9-4 Crossing The Line, 5-2 Lucymai, 5 Island Of Life, Castle Hill Cassie, 10 Pattie, Miss Bar Beach, 20 Peak Princess.

11-4fav Chased leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon hung left, kept on, won at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec beating Lucymai by 1/2l, 6 ran. 11-4fav Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Crossing The Line at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec. 13-2 Held up, headway on outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Wolverhampton 7f flls cond stks (2) in Nov beating Ghazawaat by hd, 5 ran. 9-2 In touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Dec beating Gulliver by 3/4l, 8 ran. 25-1 In touch, weakening when short of room over 2f out, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Di Fede at Ascot 7f fll lst stks (1) sft in Oct. 12th of 16, 4l behind Lunch Lady at Deauville(FR) 7f fbs in Dec.

33-1 Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 7l behind Flaming Spear at Kempton 1m Listed stks

(1) pol in Nov. MICHAEL Van Gerwen is determined to make sure the hard work he has put in to reach his fourth PDC World Championship final ends with a third world title today.

The 29-year-old set up a decider with Michael Smith by thrashing Gary Anderson 6-1 in his semi-final after Smith booked his first final appearance with a 6-3 win over Nathan Aspinall at Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen is hoping to win his third title and – after missing out on reaching the final 12 months ago – has put the hours in to make sure he starts 2019 by lifting the Sid Waddell trophy.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal game,” Van Gerwen said. “I have a phenomenal record against

Michael and I’m looking forward to playing him.

“This (tournament) means the world to me. I’m working hard every week, week after week.

“I do a lot to come to the stage and I’m really glad I’m in the final.

“The work is not done yet and I have to do more.”

Smith admits he had to overcome nerves in the early stages of his semi-final with Aspinall, before edging closer to fulfilling his dream of being crowned world champion.

“I was so nervous and I nearly made a mess of it, but I’m so glad I held it together,” he said.