Darts: Lowe aims high in Dublin

John Lowe believes he can win the World Darts Grand Prix in Dublin - but is not taking anything for granted.

The three-times world champion clinched his place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Steve Beaton.

He raced into a two-set lead before Beaton fought back to take the third. But Lowe held his nerve and finished with double nine to set up a last-eight clash against England captain Martin Adams.

"Martin Adams is playing well, but people tend to forget that I have the pedigree and the age and they don't have that pedigree yet," said Chesterfield veteran Lowe. "In all honesty he's playing me."

The 56-year-old has been happy with his form since his arrival at the Citywest Hotel, but he added: "I'm going to take one round at a time because I made a mistake last year in Las Vegas when I got to the final of the American Open.

"I played someone called Rodriguez who had knocked out half the Brits in one half and I knocked them all out in the other. I thought I had the match won, but he beat me and I will never get complacent again."

But, like all champions, Lowe is confident in his own ability and he feels that he is playing well enough to progress further in the tournament.

He said: "If I play like I did against Steve, then there is nobody in there who is going to beat that, in my opinion."

The local crowd also have their part to play, and Lowe added: "I've been coming to Ireland for a number of years and I have always had great support.

"Once they get behind you, the people who have known you for a long time, they are phenomenal supporters."