Carty chases pro ticket

SNOOKER ace Ashley Carty wants to pocket a summer ticket to the pro ranks.

The 20-year-old goes to the World U21s Championships in Belgium in August knowing that a place at the top table alongside big names like Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and new world champion Mark Selby is on offer for the winner.

Carty's latest attempt to qualify through the Q School ended in defeats to Matthew Day and Ashley Hugill last month. But after winning the Rotherham Open and enjoying a good run in a pro-am at Gloucester recently, the Thurcroft potter is in good spirits.

He said: “The Q School didn't go as well as I'd hoped and I lost in the early rounds but I got to the last 32 in Gloucester and beat Robert Milkins. He's the world number 21, so that was a confidence boost.

“The World U21s is my next chance and I'm probably one of the favourites to win it. Last year I got to the quarter-final and struggled a bit but I think I have improved a lot since then. It is possible I could win.”