ACOMB arrows ace Chris Thompson will be out to cement his reputation as the World Championship qualifier the top players fear most when he takes to the Alexandra Palace stage tonight.

Thompson who has already defeated the legendary Phil Taylor in 2010, faces world number 13 Colin Osborne at 7.10pm this evening having made the field for the sport’s most-famous tournament for the first time ever.

Despite Osborne’s credentials, the Crescent WMC player is confident of victory and has even been told by 2008 BDO world champion Mark Webster that he was the man all the seeds wanted to avoid in the first round draw.

Thompson, nicknamed the “Hitman,” travelled down to London on Monday night and has sampled the atmosphere at the hallowed venue for the past two evenings.

Now, he is looking forward to becoming the centre of attention himself, kicking off a great night of darts on Sky Sports that will also feature five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in his first game at this year’s competition.

Ahead of his big match, the Minster Law legal executive told The Press: “I was talking to Mark Webster after qualifying at Derby and he said that nobody wants me in the first round as they know what I can do. I’m looking at having a good run and feel really confident.”