CHRIS Aubrey took a giant step towards qualifying for the UK Open with a good display in Wigan today.

Six Swindon players were taking part in the fourth of six qualifiers in Lancashire with Aubrey the best performer as he picked up £500.

The youngster beat Garry Snedding, Gary Stone and Wayne Jones before losing to Brendan Dolan in round four, with his haul of prize money likely to be enough to see him through to the finals in Minehead next month.

Mark Cox and Johnny Haines went into the event already with £500 in the bank but couldn’t add to it as they lost to Dave Chisnall and Christian Kist in round two.

Dennis Smith took £250 into the event but lost out in round one to Jamie Bain while John Newland suffered the same fate at the hands of Matt Padgett.

Jack Tweddell beat Ben Ward before losing to multiple major winner James Wade in round two but he, like the rest of the Swindon players, will have the chance to add to their haul in further events tomorrow and Sunday.