Scott Jamieson expected to impress again at the Russian Open

The M2M Russian Open is among the weakest European Tour fields in years, but with that comes an opportunity for someone to step up and make a breakthrough.

The man most likely is Max Kieffer, a young German who has made every cut this year and went close in the Irish Open as well as the Nordea Masters only to struggle on Sunday. Kieffer will put that experience to good use and win at some point, but single-figure prices make no appeal even in this grade.

More tempting are past Russian Open champions David Horsey and Michael Hoey, both of whom win more than their share of titles, but they're quite hard to predict and again look no more than fairly priced at 14/1.

Instead, I like the chances of Scott Jamieson at around twice that price given that he's got some really good form in Russia and in fact could well have won this event last year but for a late stumble.

Jamieson made a fast start in the Czech Republic last week and the wide targets on offer from the tee at this week's new venue should mean he has plenty of opportunities to be aggressive.

Others towards the front of the market make limited appeal, although both Craig Lee and Kevin Phelan should consider this a fine opportunity to gain what would be deserved first wins.

Lee in particular has a good bank of form at similar Jack Nicklaus designs and on the back of a top-10 finish last week is one for the shortlist, although I'm happy to look towards those at bigger prices.

England's Matt Nixon is capable of winning in this grade having been second to Hoey in the 2013 renewal.

Nixon's other top-five finish came in the NH Collections Open, another weak affair, so perhaps he'll again show an aptitude for making the most of a good opportunity and reward an each-way play at around the 80/1 mark.

Andrea Pavan is prolific at just a slightly lower level and boasts a strong record in Russia, so he too looks worth a small bet in the hope that he can build on a good effort in Denmark two weeks ago.

Pavan finished second to Tommy Fleetwood in the 2011 Challenge Tour Order of Merit and should recognise that the opposition here is beatable - if he can avoid the big numbers that so often ruin otherwise good play.

He's another to have played well at a couple of other Nicklaus designs and with top-10s in Hong Kong, South Africa and Wales, it's clear that travelling all over Europe and Asia is no issue for him so the long trip to Moscow isn't a concern.

Finally, Soren Hansen might step up and finish inside the top-10 having threatened to do so in both starts in this event.

Hansen is a confirmed Nicklaus specialist who made the cut in the Czech Republic last week and might just have been spurred on to do so by the awesome home support at the Made In Denmark.

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