Sport
Major Sporting Events in April
Another month passes in 2023 and with it brings some fresh sporting events to get your teeth stuck into throughout April.
With action from all around the globe from the best of golf, snooker, horse racing and women’s rugby, we preview the four major sporting events to look out for in the Easter season.
The Masters – Thursday 6th April to Sunday 9th April
The Masters is arguably the most significant and iconic week in the golf calendar for all fans of the sport. Whilst it’s only one of four of the majors throughout the golfing year, it holds an almost tangible extra layer of prestige that makes the long weekend in Augusta the most coveted tournament to win amongst players.
As with most majors, the Masters is always tough to call – just see our list of current golfers to have never have won a major – but this year could see Rory McIlroy finally end his wait to complete a career grand slam. The Irishman, who on Tuesday was drawn to play alongside Tom Kim and Sam Burns, is the outright favourite for the Green Jacket at 13/2, ahead of Scottie Scheffler (7/1) and Jon Rahm (9/1).
Check out all the latest golf betting at William Hill
The Grand National – Saturday 15th April
The Grand National is the most valuable jump race in the whole of Europe. It is traditionally labelled the world’s most famous steeplechase and regarded as the most-watched horse race on the planet. Whilst racing fanatics around the country may only just be getting their breath back after a heavy week of Cheltenham last month, the Grand National is certainly not one to miss on the racing calendar and is thought to be watched by over 600 million people across the globe.
Noble Yeats was the winner in the 2022 edition in what was Sam Waley-Cohen’s last ever ride, setting off at a huge price of 50-1. He finds himself a much shorter 8/1 this year, second favourite to only Corach Rambler, who will be looking to continue his success from Cheltenham last month as the 11/2 favourite. Delta Work (8/1) rounds off the top three.
Check out all the latest Horse Racing odds at William Hill
The Women’s Six Nations – Saturday 25th March to Saturday 29th April
The 2023 Women’s Six Nations actually already kicked off towards the backend of March, but the vast majority and conclusion of the 22nd edition of the tournament will be played across April this year. England have already racked up 126 points across two games against Scotland and Italy and sit at the top of the standings, neck and neck with Wales and France who have likewise tasted victory in their opening couple of fixtures.
The next round of matches gets underway on Saturday 15th April with Ireland making the trip to Italy, France hosting Scotland, and England visiting Wales in an early top-of-the-table clash. England will be considered the comfortable favourites to add to their already outrageous total of 22 titles (including the Home Nations and Five Nations titles before 2002), and will be eyeing up a 17th Grand Slam at home to France on Saturday 29th April at Twickenham.
World Snooker Championship – Saturday 15th April to Monday 1st May
The World Snooker Championship is the longest-running and most prestigious tournament in professional snooker. Taking place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield following an exhaustive qualifying process, the tournament includes 32 players all vying for their greatest accolade in the sport across a two week period. Ronnie O’Sullivan is the current champion after winning the 2022 edition, and he also shares the record for the most world titles in the modern era alongside Stephen Hendry.
O’Sullivan once again finds himself the favourite for this year’s event in Yorkshire and will be looking to break the all-time record, and is a 9/2 shot to do so. Fellow Englishman Judd Trump is considered the second favourite for the World title at 11/2, whilst Mark Selby (6/1) and Neil Robertson (15/2) have also been touted as potential victors.
