ACOMB arrows ace Chris Thompson is targeting another Blue Square UK Open quarter-final appearance.

Thompson was the surprise package of last year’s PDC competition when he reached the last eight before bravely bowing out 10-5 to world number 17 Vincent van der Voort.

But the York legal executive believes a repeat performance is within his grasp when, 12 months on from his main stage appearance in front of the live Sky TV cameras, he returns to Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium tomorrow night.

Thompson told the Press: “If the draw goes okay, there’s no reason why I can’t make the final day again. I need a couple of breaks, which I’m due because I’ve been playing well without getting some results I might have deserved.

“But, as long as I play to the best of my ability, I have every confidence that I can go a long way again.

“I certainly loved being on the main stage and would not be affected if I was on television again.”

Thompson has pushed Premier League stars Merv King (6-5), Jelle Klaasen (6-4) and Terry Jenkins (6-4) very close in recent weeks and has also claimed the scalps of three-time world champion John Part (6-5), ex-BDO number one Gary Anderson (6-3) and 21st-ranked Dennis Ovens (6-3) over the past year.

He admits, however, that women’s world number one Anastasia Dobromyslova, the first female to play in the tournament, could be one to avoid.

The Hitman added: “It was a great feeling beating Part this year but I had a harder match the game before him against Anastasia. She really played well and took me a bit by surprise.

“She’s playing the tour on merit and probably knows she’s unlikely to win any competitions but she can certainly be a spoiler and cause a few upsets.”

Thompson has avoided the Russian in tonight’s second round matches where he will meet either 10,000-1 shot David Smurthwaite or Mark Jodrill.

With Jodrill placed 150 in the PDC Order of Merit and his first round opponent Smuthwaite a pub qualifier, world number 59 Thompson’s opening game in the tournament, recognised as the “FA Cup of Darts,” will represent the equivalent of a League One outfit tackling a plucky, part-time minnow.

But the Crescent WMC and Clifton Hotel player is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “It’s a nice draw but I will be approaching the game in the same manner as if I was facing one of the big guys.

“Mark’s on the tour and is forking out a lot of money to follow his dream like most of us.

“The other guy is no mug either, as he’s had to come through a tough qualifier.”

Thompson, who recently added Holgate guest house St Paul’s Lodge to his growing list of sponsors, knows another fine UK Open showing will also enhance his ambition of earning a tour card when the PDC adopt a golf-style approach to their competitions in 2011. Only the top 96 professionals in the order of merit will then be guaranteed a PDC licence with all other players scrapping for 32 places at a qualifying school.

He added: “I haven’t progressed as much as I would have liked in the rankings over the last 12 months but the higher you get the harder that becomes and the main thing is to make sure I get my card, which I’m well on course to do.”

Thompson fans can now buy the Hitman’s darts by visiting www.reddragondarts.com

Sky coverage of the UK Open will take place over the next four days, beginning with first and second round ties from 7pm tomorrow.