Final carrot spurring Carter on

Ali Carter marched into the World Championship final and revealed his title charge is being fuelled by a 10-bags-a-day carrot habit.

Essex cueman Carter was suffering so badly with Crohn's disease, the bowel condition he was diagnosed with nine years ago, that he considered walking away from the snooker tour at one stage this season.

The World Championship would have been his last tournament but instead it could be the making of Carter.

A no-wheat, no-dairy diet has worked wonders, but he believes regular nutritious carrot juice is just as important a factor behind his new-found good health.

On Saturday 32-year-old Carter turned a 14-10 lead into a 17-12 triumph over Maguire, for whom the match appeared to be a miserable experience from start to finish.

"Organic carrot juice is where it's at. All the other players are missing a trick. It's nicer than you think it would be," Carter said.

"I'm having 10 bags a day. You think I'm joking - go into my dressing room. Peter Ebdon brought the juicer.

"It's supposed to improve your eyesight. You could turn the light out and I'd still be able to play."

Ebdon's role in the Carter camp has been noted already at this tournament, notably when second-round victim Judd Trump said he found it strange that the 2002 world champion was present and clearly favouring his long-time friend.

The man nicknamed 'The Force' is renowned for his mental strength, and by passing on advice to Carter behind the scenes in Sheffield he has helped toughen him up.

Carter said of Ebdon's influence: "He's helped me massively.

"I can't really tell you the trade secrets, but we're working on a few things.

"Nothing with my technique, just things in the mind really that I fell down on before.

"We all know how focused he is."

Ebdon has turned to veganism and has been forthcoming with diet advice for Carter as he manages his illness.

The 41-year-old could be retained in some capacity by Carter after the tournament, although he remains active on the tour and won last month's China Open.

Carter said: "I'd like to think so. We're going to have to go into negotiations about that. He's obviously been a great help to me. He always has been. He's a person who wants to share his knowledge and that's a true winner."