Basildon snooker professional Stuart Bingham backs himself as a top tip for honours as he enters the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship this week.
If Bingham, who plays out of the Executive Club in Leigh, does achieve his aim from the 194-strong field he'll not only earn a cash prize of £6,000 but also earn a place in the prestigious Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley.
There he'd play Alan McManus, the inaugural B and H champion, and be guaranteed a £12,000 share of the £750,000 prize money.
Bingham, who has already this season qualified for the main stages of the UK Championship next month - he starts his challenge there against top Scot Drew Henry - has been picking up some extra tuition from Derek Hills, who coaches the game's greatest talent Ronnie O'Sullivan.
He departs for the B and H event, being played at the Towers Snooker Club in Mansfield, on Thursday and faces a 10am third round start the following day when he takes on the winner of the second round clash between Michael Wild and Tony Brown, being played yesterday.
Bingham said: "I'm really happy with my game at the moment. I've just had the 26th 147 break of my career and feel that I'm playing well enough to win the B and H.
"I honestly don't remember playing Michael or Tony before and obviously the match being at 10am in the morning is not ideal. There are some outstanding players in the field, but I certainly wouldn't rule myself out of winning the whole thing."
Published Wednesday October 23, 2002
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