World champion Graeme Dott battled back from behind to book a quarter-final berth at the Northern Ireland Trophy today.

Barry Pinches, one of the most improved players of the season, produced another top drawer performance to reach the second round of the Daily Record Players Championship at the SECC in Glasgow today.

Peter Ebdon won his first ranking tournament since capturing the 2002 world title by defeating Mark King 10-7 at the Citywest Irish Masters in Dublin last night.

After the exits of seven members of the world’s top eight in Cardiff this week, one of snooker’s elder statesmen will take centre stage at the Welsh Open today.