UK Championship Snooker day 1: Five tasty first round tips

Higgins terrific price to thrash Fernandez

Legendary cueist Stephen Hendry recently touted his fellow Scottish potter John Higgins as a potential winner at this year’s UK meet and, if the seven-time Crucible king is backing him, it’s definitely worth a punt.

The Wizard of Wishaw first comes up against a new challenger in veteran Leo Fernandez, but has been in excellent form this year, and is even-money to earn a five-frame winning margin over his Irish opponent, or alternatively 12/5 for a 6-1 triumph.

McGill for comfortable victory in Cahill clash

Talented Scot Anthony McGill was one of the stars of last season’s UK competition, reaching his first ever quarter-final in the illustrious event after toppling Nigel Bond and compatriot Higgins, before a narrow defeat to eventual victor O’Sullivan.

Hailed by the Rocket as one of the sport’s future leading lights and a practise partner of Alan McManus, this could be McGill’s time to shine, and he is 12/5 to outpot James Cahill 6-3 in their first-round meeting, having won their only other clash.

The big Lisowski needs Surety

Clinical Cheltenham cueist Jack Lisowski showed previous glimpses of brilliance in his young career, having reached the UK third-round last time out, where he was overcome by Shaun Murphy, and stated after that defeat that he was still adjusting to the playing atmosphere at major events.

A year on from that loss, the 24-year-old could show his true baize abilities in York, where he is 24/5 to rally to a 4-0 lead over Zak Surety after the opening four frames, following a whitewash over his Essex counterpart in one of only two ever match-ups to date.

Jones to get past Glover

Welsh break-builder Jamies Jones possesses all the potting talent to eventually clinch his maiden ranking event in the coming years, and he showcased such skills recently at the Australian Goldfields Open. The Neath cueist reached the semi-finals by edging out Mark Davis, thrashing world number one Mark Selby 5-1 and overcoming his friend Michael White, before losing out to Higgins.

Jones has faced veteran Ian Glover on just two occasions before, but secured a comfortable 4-2 win in their most recent encounter, making him 13/4 to only two concede frames again this time out in a 6-2 triumph.

Related

Read our snooker archive.

Coral have every UK Championship Snooker meeting covered, so make sure to follow the action.

Coral’s top tip: Ken Doherty has a habit of toppling Tony Drago by two or more frames in previous meetings, so back the Darling of Dublin to secure a 6-4 victory this time in the UK Championship first-round meeting.