SHOKAT Ali was in first round action today as the 1997 UK Snooker Championship kicked off at Preston's Guild Hall.
Currently ranked 59th in the world, the Accrington-based professional was due to meet Karl Payne (117th) for the right to play Alain Robidoux in round two.
Ali will be looking to go one better than last year's narrow second round defeat at the hands of six times world champion Steve Davis.
Bookmakers William Hill are offering odds of 150-1 on Ali taking the title.
A place in the televised stages is perhaps a more realistic bet as he looks to break into the top 50.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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