Ken Doherty does not want his career to end with him being labelled a one-hit wonder in snooker's top three events.
The popular Dubliner savoured World Championship glory in 1997, but since then has only tasted success in the circuit's less prestigious tournaments.
He has appeared in finals of the UK Championship and the Masters but always fallen short, and Doherty would love nothing more than to enhance his standing within the game by capturing another 'major'.
His latest chance comes in the Maplin UK Championship this week in York, where the 'Darling of Dublin' meets Joe Perry on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
'The UK Championship and the Masters are tournaments I'd really love to win,' said the world number two.
'This is a great tournament and it would mean a lot to me to have the title under my belt.
'Most of the other top players have won it and I'm like the bridesmaid. I call myself the ultimate penultimate!'
The 37-year-old faces a tough task against Perry, however, the Cambridgeshire player having reached the semi-finals for the last two years and he has impressed in his two victories so far.
Perry also whitewashed Doherty at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in October, but his opponent is not allowing that result to affect his mindset for this match.
'That result counts for nothing now,' insisted Doherty. 'It's all on the day. I've beaten great players and then the next day gone out and lost to someone ranked 20 places below me. I just hope I can be a bit more consistent now.
'Joe played very well in Aberdeen. He won 5-0 and I was lucky to get nil. It was the first time I'd seen him play that well. He has won two good games here and it will be a tough match.'
Doherty, like the other players among the top four seeds, only began his campaign on Saturday, which means he does not get a day off between his first and second matches.
