 They included four former World Champions, Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Richie Burnett and Keith Deller.Former World Matchplay winners Peter Evison and Rod Harrington also attempted to qualify alongside two-time World Grand Prix finalist Shayne Burgess and former World finalist, Dave Whitcombe

They were all faced with a minimum of three matches (4 for Evison and Burnett) to qualify.Harrington and Evison both went at the first hurdle.