David Grace has moved within four matches of an immediate return to the World Snooker Tour after easing past Heather Clare at Q School Event Two. The Englishman’s progression in Burton never looked in doubt against compatriot Clare as he claimed a 4-0 whitewash triumph in the morning session.

Grace, who was a semi-finalist at the 2015 UK Championship, fell off the tour at the end of the last campaign and is desperate to regain his place. He is hoping to following in the footsteps of Sam Cragie, Sam Baird, Sammad Miah and Jak Jones, who secured their return to the professional ranks in Q School Event One.

The Yorkshire-born potter hit breaks of 58, 60, 61 and 58 on Tuesday to book his place in the next round and set up a meeting with Thor Chuan Leong. The Malaysian also made comfortable work of his opponenet as he defeated India’s Jaspal Bamotra 4-0.

Meanwhile, Blackpool’s ex-professional James Cahill triumphed 4-2 against Belgium’s Hans Blanckaert and will face Christopher Keogan in Wednesday’s evening session. World number 119 Keogan ended a run of eight successive defeats to see off Malta’s Alex Borg 4-0. Sean Maddocks will continue his pursuit for a tour card in Wednesday’s evening session but faces a stern test against Andy Hicks. He edged past Australia’s Ryan Thomerson 4-3, while it proved easier work for Hicks as he overcame George Pragnall 4-1.

Maddocks can be backed at 2.00 to take a step closer to claiming a tour card and Hicks is priced at 1.70 to come out on top.