SNOOKER young gun Ashley Hugill believes winning the York Masters title has given him the perfect tune-up as he prepares to compete for a place on the professional tour at Q-School.

The 20-year-old lived up to his pre-tournament billing as favourite as he saw off Jordan Worobec 4-1 in the final of the three-month long event, which was staged for the city’s top players on a World Snooker standard table in Layerthorpe.

Hugill also hit the competition’s first century break in an earlier round and, after making strides on the European Tour this season, feels his game has improved significantly over the past 12 months as he goes back to Q-School - two tournaments held in Burton-upon-Trent and which start tomorrow.

Declining to set himself targets for the events, which will see the four semi-finalists from each handed two-year cards to the main tour, Hugill instead insists he will take each game as it comes as he bids to increase his foothold in the sport.

The further he goes in the tournament, the more likely it is that he will be invited to compete in ranking events next season - meaning every victory counts as he begins his first campaign against fellow European Tour competitor Joe Steele.

“I am really pleased and happy. I didn’t want to play poorly and scrape through. I wanted to show people what I was capable of,” Hugill said when reflecting on his Masters success.

“It was important because it was my last tournament before Q-School and I got to sharpen my game on a Star table.

“It was a good tournament and I would like to thank organiser Adrian Barraclough for running it. I think it is really good for York snooker.”

On his prospects for Q-School, he added: “I feel I am improving greatly. I am at the Star Academy in Sheffield four days a week and I am really starting to improve quickly. Next year, hopefully I can go a step further and get in most, if not all, of the professional events.

“I just need to take it one match at a time. Last year, I set objectives and I was really disappointed when I didn’t meet them. I don’t want to build up the pressure on myself. I want to play one match at a time and see what happens.

“I want to enjoy it, do my best and play well and, if I can take my practice form on to the tables, I am confident. It’s been a decent season.

I am playing better than I have at any point and I think I am going to do well.”

Hugill thanked his sponsor DRT Trailers, of Full Sutton, for their support throughout the season.