UK Championship - Day four - Eight remain in Telford

Tournament snooker is a cutthroat business.

We've played less than half of this nine-day event, and already 75 per cent of the field have been sent packing, and we're down to the final eight.

We're officially at the business end of the competition, and there's nowhere to hide. Every player who remains in the hat, has had to come through two tough matches to get here, so no-one can be written off.

There was no easy matches in the first place, such has been the standard of snooker, but now even more so, because every player has proved they're in good form too.

The quarter-finals kick-off tomorrow, and here's a round-up of the eight who remain...

Mark Allen

The world number 11 has yet to play on a televised table in the competition so far, but being shunned from the cameras has hardly dampened his confidence. Today he dispatched of reigning UK champion Ding Junhui in a deciding frame shoot-out. The Chinese cue man was hitting the ball perfectly in his first round match against Matthew Stevens, but Allen, who has never been afraid to go after his shots, profited from his fearless attitude. The way he's potting, he'll take some stopping.

Title credentials: The Northern Ireland man is still waiting for his first ranking final. He's shown he's in enough form to make it this time, but we'll have to see whether he has the self-belief to go that step further.

Stuart Bingham

Everyone is talking about his famous win against Ronnie O'Sullivan, but beating Marco Fu 9-2 today is right up there with that result as well. The Hong Kong man is never easy to play against, but with an obvious confidence boost from defeating the Rocket, he blew him to pieces. Stuart has always been a class act , and it looks like this is his week to shine. A good run here is doing wonders for his chances to break into the top 16. This is his fifth appearance at a ranking event quarter-final, but he's never gone any further. I doubt he's been playing any better than this though.

Title credentials: It would be ludicrous to write off the man who beat Ronnie. He'll not want to get ahead of himself either, and his next match will be difficult against Allen. He might not be the bookies favourite in that match, but in their last meeting, at this season's Shanghai Masters, he beat him. So watch out.

Stephen Maguire

Another player who has yet to appear on the television in Telford this year. It's rather surprising given his outstanding record at this competition. In his six visits, he's lifted the title once, finished runner-up once and reached the last four on another two occasions. Today he knocked out crowd favourite Mark Selby 9-7, so he's definitely playing well. His last ranking title came in 2008 in China, so he's due another for a player currently ranked number five in the world. Maguire is very good pressure player and has a solid all-round game

Title credentials: The UK Championship has been a successful hunting ground for Stephen over the years, and he'll hoping it proves so again. Probably not the strongest player left, but should never be written off.

John Higgins

No-one can accuse the Wizard of Wishaw of taking an easy route if he wins this competition. He beat a superb Stephen Lee in the first round and then was forced to come through a nail-biting decider against his good friend Graeme Dott. Since his return to the game, he's suffered just one defeat in 16 matches. He must be as determined as ever, so therefore as dangerous as ever. Another Scot awaits next when he faces Maguire. The way he's playing, he'll be favourite. His safety this week has been particularly impressive.

Title credentials: John has always been one of the game's most natural champions. He has both the quality and steel it takes to win titles. He's already shown this week he can deal with the nerves. He'll be a match for anyone. He'll take some beating.

Mark Joyce

Far and away the surprise package of this competition so far. He must have thought he was in dreamland when he beat world number three Ali Carter. Today, he did it again. This time beating young gun Judd Trump 9-7. He's won six matches to make it to the last eight, and he'll be loving every minute of it. Carter was definitely out of sorts when they met, and Trump is always beatable, such is his aggressive approach to the game. Not to take anything away from his achievements, but tougher assignments lie ahead. Whatever happens now, he'll go home happy. There's no pressure on him and that's a pleasurable way to play. Moving forward, it'll be interesting to see whether this run is a flash in the pan, that he'll be remembered for forever, or whether it's the start of his rise up the rankings.

Title credentials: It would be disrespectful to write him off altogether, but he's certainly the rank outsider. He's just got to enjoy it and see what happens. No-one will want to play him though.

Mark Williams

Yet to hit absolute top form so far in Telford. But against Mark Davis and a below par Stephen Hendry, he hasn't had to yet. Joyce is up next. He'll have to tread carefully, but should win that match too. In the semi-finals, anything is possible, but he's shown in years gone by that he's the master of playing his way into tournaments. He's back alongside the big boys and doesn't look out of place in the slightest.

Title credentials:

Shaun Murphy

Shaun is another player, who hasn't hit his peak yet. He's cueing well enough, but probably still has more in the tank. Players like that are dangerous in these kind of tournaments. He was one of the highly-fancied players at the start of this tournament, and nothing much has changed. He laboured at times against Ryan Day, before eventually winning the match 9-8. Playing in a big quarter-final has become common place for him. He's a cool character, and always one capable of taking the trophy.

Title credentials: World number one Neil Robertson is next. It doesn't come much tougher than that. He'll have to up his game to beat him, but you'd expect him to. He's won tournaments before in this kind of form, and lost others playing better in the early rounds. Always a good shout to finish the job.

Neil Robertson

The most impressive player this week as he targets a 2009 BBC treble by winning in Telford. He ripped Rory McLeod apart in round one and did the same in large sections of his 9-5 victory against Andrew Higginson. Despite a slight wobble at the start of the final session, he's been in total control. He's been making high breaks for fun, his potting is scary, and he's just oozing confidence.

Title credentials: He's the world champion. He's the man everyone has to beat.