Dott hopes it’s lucky for some in Cheltenham

GRAEME DOTT is desperate to end a 13-year wait for a trophy today.

The Scot locks horns with Australia’s Neil Robertson in the World Grand Prix final.

And the 42-year-old Larkhall potter knows victory at Cheltenham Racecourse would be his first ranking title since winning the China Open back in 2007.

‘It’s all about me, I can perform to the best of my ability then I’ve got a great chance,’ said Dott, who has rolled back the years in Gloucester this week to reach his 10th career ranking final.

‘There’s no denying it’s harder the older you get, but I’ve got nothing to lose. Nobody expected me to get to the final, but I’ve been playing well all season.

‘I fancy the job as long as I can get involved in the match. I’m not exactly a prolific winner, but I have been playing well and feeling as if this has been coming all season.’

Dott (right) contested two ranking finals two years ago, at the German Masters in Berlin and the Snooker Shootout in Watford.

Frustratingly he lost both finals, so it’s little wonder the experienced potter is hoping to make it third time lucky in his long-overdue quest for silverware.

And the signs are promising having sent tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan crashing out at the quarter-final stage with a vintage 5-3 win earlier this week.

‘It would be nice to finally win one,’ admitted Dott. ‘Hopefully I can play as well as I did to beat Ronnie.

‘It does feel like 13 years since the last title I won — in fact it feels like longer.

‘Winning that tournament was more special than winning the World Championship the previous season. It’s because I felt played my best snooker.

‘I know I’ve only won two ranking titles and I should have probably more won titles during my career, but I’ve lost to a golden generation of players in big finals and semi-finals.’

‘I just want to get involved in the match — give me 6-6 on Sunday night and I’ll fancy it. I’ll love it.’

Robertson earned his place in today’s best-of-19 showpiece with a 6-4 victory over England’s Kyren Wilson in last night’s second semi-final in Cheltenham.