DENNIS Smith is hoping to be a nose ahead of his competition when he kicks off his UK Open campaign today.

The Swindon-based player takes to the oche on the main stage to face Alex Roy in the first round at Butlins Minehead Resort.

The 46-year-old had an operation on his nose to help with his breathing only last Thursday but is hoping that will not affect him as he sets his sights on making it deep into the competition.

“The draw could have been worse and I’m quite looking forward to it,” he said. “Alex has been around for quite a while. I know he has not been on the PDC for a couple of years but he is still a dangerous player.

“I feel quite good within myself. I was in hospital last Thursday for an operation and I seem to be getting over that quite well.

“Hopefully it won’t affect me too much. I was back on the board the early part of this week practising and there has been no swelling there.”

Smith, who plays out of the Fox and Hound pub in Haydon Wick, is part of an elite group of 10 players who have made an appearance in every UK Open since it began in 2003 and by fate, so has his opponent Roy.

The gentleman of darts, as he is affectionately known, is hoping that experience will help him today and he is looking to avoid the big names for as long as possible.

“I have been playing in it ever since the first one started and it is just about taking every round as it goes,” he added.

“All the top players could be drawn against each other in the first game and the lesser players can play against each other.

“You take each round as it comes and hopefully you get a nice passage and sneak on through to the latter rounds.”

Meanwhile, Lee Evans, who is based in Kempsford, takes on Austrian youngster Rowby-John Rodriguez on the main stage.

Mark Cox, who, like Roy, came through the Rileys amateur qualifiers, takes on Wes Newton, whilst Jonny Haines will face Gary Stone in a preliminary round match for the right to take on Jamie Caven.