A STAR name in the frame for the UK Snooker Championship made a shock exit from the European Open in Malta yesterday only eight days before he takes the stage in York.

Peter Ebdon, provisionally ranked world No 3 after reaching the LG Cup final last month, suffered a 5-1 defeat by world 26 Billy Snaddon.

Paul Hunter, the world No 8, from Leeds, was another surprise victim yesterday, ousted 5-2 by Nigel Bond.

"This is probably my best result since I got to the final of the 1999 Regal China tournament," said 32-year-old Scotsman Snaddon, whose cue was missing when he arrived in Malta last Thursday.

Because of tightened security following the September 11 horror in New York, airlines no longer allow players to take cues on planes as hand luggage and Snaddon's cue went missing in transit.

The Evening Press reported exclusively last week how John Higgins, who is defending the UK title in York next month, was worried about the risk of cues going missing. Snaddon was relieved to be reunited with his cue after a 24 hour delay.

"I tried a few cues out just in case it never turned up. If it hadn't, I would have been a million to one to win this match. All my pals would have been backing me to lose 5-0," he said.

This is the first time Snaddon has beaten Ebdon in four meetings.

Benson and Hedges Masters champion Hunter lost his way against Bond after levelling from 2-0 down to the 36-year-old 1995 world championship runner-up.

Ebdon's UK Championship debut at York's Barbican Leisure Centre is a second round match starting a week tomorrow at 2.30pm against Michael Judge or Shokat Ali. Snaddon plays Terry Murphy in the first round next Monday (5pm), on the first day of the championship

Bond, who has enlisted the help of Ronnie O'Sullivan's coach in his battle to get back into the top 16, plays Allister Carter in the UK first round next Tuesday morning, while Hunter makes his York debut on Saturday, December 8 (noon start) against Joe Perry or Jamie Burnett.

Seven times world champion Stephen Hendry will play O'Sullivan in the European Open quarter-finals on Thursday.

Updated: 11:43 Tuesday, November 27, 2001