Michael Holt dreaming big after late call-up to Snooker Shoot Out

The Nottingham-based player has now won the most matches in the history of the tournament

Michael Holt is in to the last 32 of the Snooker Shoot Out after getting a late call to play at the event (Simon Cooper/PA) (PA Archive)

Former Snooker Shoot Out champion Michael Holt made the most of his late call-up to make the final 32 of this year’s tournament in Leicester.

Holt, the 2020 champion who made a tournament-best break of 116 in his first-round victory over Lei Peifan, beat Robbie McGuigan 37-13 in the one-frame event despite owning up to his lack of match preparation.

“Life’s got in the way a little bit,” Nottingham-based Holt told Eurosport.

“I’ve been playing the least amount of snooker I’ve ever played in my life.

“I had a few hours when I got the call-up, but you just try your best.”

As well as winning the BetVictor Snooker Shoot Out three years ago, Holt finished runner-up in 2019 and has now won the most matches in the history of the tournament.

He said: “If you embrace the atmosphere and tournament you can enjoy it whatever happens.

“You’ve got to enjoy the chaos basically, and fortunately I have done in the past.”

Reanne Evans had become the first woman to win a match in the event by beating Stuart Bingham in the opening round on Thursday.

But Evans was instantly on the backfoot as Gary Wilson fluked a red to set up a 44 break, and the ‘Tyneside Terror’ wrapped up a comfortable 83-4 victory.

Moldovan Vladislav Gradinari, just 14, reached the last 32 with a 42-20 success over Victor Sarkis.

Another 14-year-old Riley Powell lost 38-2 to his fellow Welshman Daniel Wells.

Three-time world champion Mark Williams edged out Dean Young 45-41, while former Shoot Out winners Dominic Dale, Martin Gould and Michael White all progressed.

There were also victories for Belgium’s Julien Leclercq – who rattled in a 93 break – Ali Carter, Fergal O’Brien, Tom Ford, Liam Highfield, Dylan Emery and Jack Lisowski.

But Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, the 2019 champion, lost to fellow Thai Dechawat Poomjaeng 40-62, while Ben Mertens suffered defeat in the final seconds as Fan Zhengyi sank a decisive green.