by Neil Goulding

JAMIE Cope is heading to Glasgow next week, but Dave Harold's Scottish hopes were ended yesterday as he failed to qualify for the Grand Prix.

Longton's Cope, the world number 18, survived a spirited comeback to beat Irishman David Morris 5-3 in the final round of qualifying yesterday at the Pontin's Holiday Park in Prestatyn, North Wales.

But Trent Vale potter Harold crashed to a disappointing 5-1 defeat at the hands of another Irishman, former world champion Ken Doherty.

Unusually off-colour, world number 19 Harold mustered a high break of just 37 as 1997 Crucible winner Doherty cruised to victory in just under two hours.

"I played really well against Dave, he's a tough player to beat," reflected Doherty.

"But he didn't really play as well as he can I tried my best to limit his opportunities.

"I have got to be happy with a 5-1 result against someone of his calibre, he's had a good couple of seasons and is close to breaking back into the top 16."

Doherty certainly gave himself the best possible start against Harold, a fine break of 81 enough for a 1-0 lead over the former Northern Ireland Trophy runner-up.

Harold, also winner of the Asian Open title, levelled by winning a scrappy second frame, but from there on in it was all Doherty.

The six-time ranking event winner pocketed breaks of 56 and 68 for a 3-1 interval lead, before adding runs of 55 and 67 to win the two frames he needed for victory after the resumption.

But it proved to be a good day at the office for former Grand Prix runner-up Cope as he saw off the challenge of Doherty's practice partner Morris.

Morris won the opening frame, but Cope levelled and then won the next two frames with breaks of 74 and 58 for a welcome interval lead.

Back came Morris with a break of 73 to reduce his arrears to 3-2, before runs of 36 and 35 followed to level proceedings,

However, Cope raised his game, pocketed a fine 109 break to edge 4-3 ahead, with victory completed thanks to runs 33 and 29 in the deciding frame.

"It was a decent match, I felt pretty comfortable in the balls but I had to raise my game at the end because he [David] made a good fight of it," said Cope.

"I'm really looking forward to going back to the Grand Prix, I've got good memories of when I got to the final a few years ago.

"I need to cut out those sloppy defeats I had last season, if I do that then I know I can have a good season.

"It would be nice to win my first ranking title, I've definitely benefited from the experience of playing in two finals."