Michael Holt says he is excited to play in the Riga Masters and is very much looking forward to the 2019-20 snooker season. The Nottingham-born potter, currently ranked 40 in the world, is readying himself for the season-opening event in Latvia, which sees 64 players head to the Arena Riga.

‘The Hitman’ has never won a major ranking title in his career, though his joint-best event came in Riga three years ago, when he was defeated by Australian former world champion Neil Robertson 5-2. Last year also saw another ranking final, and he came within one frame of his maiden title but was ultimately beaten by Thai cueman Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the final of the Snooker Shoot-Out.

The 40-year-old was ranked as high as 20 five years ago but has since tumbled down to 44 and has not competed in any of the past three World Championships. However, Holt says he looking forward to starting the season again and is desperate to break his duck and win a tournament.

“I am really just looking forward to the season as a whole if I am honest. I feel that I am in a really good place on and off the table and I’m ready to play some good snooker. I played well at qualifying,” he told World Snooker. ”

The target is always to win. At the end of the day people only remember the events you have won. To make five finals or something this season would be great, but to win one and have that day in the sun would be the ultimate.”

Holt faces Swiss ace Alexander Ursenbacher in the first round on Friday and is 1.44 to win, while his opponent can be backed at 2.63.