The women’s 3,000m steeplechase field is one of the trickiest
events of the games to evaluate but little work is needed to realise that world-champion
Yuliya Zaripova has an outstanding chance on her title winning triumph of last
year.
Since the start of 2009, Zaripova has finished 13 steeples
and won 11 of them, and while she lies
only fourth in the standings for times this year, she beat Milcah Chemos Chewa
(world leader this year) by miles when romping the worlds. It’s unlucky that
she’ll be allowed to take as much of a grip on the race as she did when winning
the Worlds but she was still more than 4 seconds clear at the end and that
makes her the outstanding candidate to beat Chemos Chewa once again.
Chemos Chewa is a dangerous opponent though, particularly as
she feels that’s she should Have challenged Zaripova's dominance of the race in
Deagu and is sure to push her harder, and those who want a heavy punt can back
her at 6/11 to medal.
World silver medallist Habiba Boudraa had had only run 9:20
going into the Worlds but ended up coming second in 9:11.97, and is 8/5 for a
medal here, which seems to be a fair shout considering that she beat Ethiopian
national record holder Sofia Assefa – second to Chemos on three occasions this
year – in a Diamond league meeting in Paris by more than a second.
An honourable mention goes to Gulnara Galkina, winner of the
first women's Olympic 3000m Steeplechase title and who did it fantastically
running the World's first - and only - sub nine minutes time, who had
previously set three Steeplechase World records including the ultimate mark of
8:58.81 which won her the title in Beijing four years ago.
Advice
2 pts Yuliya Zaripova (6/5 general)
1 pt Habiba Boudraa to medal (8/5 Bwin)
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