A galaxy of stars arrives at the Winter Gardens this evening as round one reaches its conclusion with the final quartet of fixtures.

Yeah, I know galaxy means shed loads when, in fact, only eight players are in action. So let’s just go with a decent-sized constellation and leave it at that. The one shaped like a Plough. Can’t think of its proper name.

First up, former European Champion and permanently well-tanned Englishman Ross Smith takes on debutant Kevin Doets. Smudger’s experience and pedigree are not in question. As for young Hawkeye, he has now flown the nest and collected his maiden PDC Pro Tour title earlier in the season.

The Dutchman is yet to fully prove himself on the big stage, although he’s had a couple of nice Euro Tour runs this year, including an appearance in the final. Obviously, he didn’t win that or I’d have been kicking off with that accolade.

For Ross – one of the Aspinall Ibiza Crew Posse – he’s having a belter of a year. A maiden Euro Tour crown in Riesa and a couple of floor titles as side dishes. In my humble opinion, he’s one of the best players in the current crop not to have performed in the Premier League. Win this thing and he’d have every right to get pissed off if not selected next time. Could be a close call.

Following that, we have Gerwyn Price going up against Martin Schindler. Twelve months ago, you may have given the pocket-sized German more of a shot. Amazing when he’s on it, but there have been far too many uncharacteristic early exits during this campaign. Still, today is another day and, if you’re in Blackpool and want to say hello to Schindi, hang around outside the players’ entrance later. He smokes more than EastEnders’ Dot Cotton.

Surprisingly, this is one tournament Gezzy doesn’t do particularly great in. Yes, he’s been a runner-up and had a few quarter-final runs but, for someone of his calibre, you’d probably expect more. This evening marks his twelfth appearance on the Winter Gardens stage and you’d have to make him favourite to get through.

Now, the next one is mouth-watering. Humphries versus Menzies. You probably couldn’t get two more contrasting characters on stage. Luke is the personification of his Cool Hand moniker. Cammy, meanwhile, while he’s calmed down a little in recent months, is renowned for being rather animated.

The Berkshire-born star, of course, won this title two years ago. For the Scot, it’s just the one appearance, which ended in heartache at the first hurdle a year ago. The bookies will rightly make the Englishman a heavy favourite, but Luke knows he’ll have his work cut out if his opponent starts peppering the red bit.

Cameron is a different beast these days, and a quality act. Then you have, in my opinion, one of the greatest players of the modern era. If there are fragments of table left on the oche at the final whistle, you’ll know who won.

Then, bringing the curtain down, another former Matchplay champion, Rob Cross, takes on Danny Noppert. It’s been seven years since Voltage was crowned King of Blackpool, which really sounds like an honour you don’t want. It may involve dressing in an arcade-themed ceremonial robe and riding a donkey up and down the promenade eating a burger which you just know is going to give you food poisoning.

In recent weeks, though, Cross has shown signs that he’s starting to really motor again. I guess right now, despite his darting résumé, he’d perhaps be considered the darkest of all the horses in this tournament.

Across the oche is Noppie – a man who made it fashionable to reach the semi-finals last year and go no further. Kudos for great runs, but trophy-wise that doesn’t butter your parsnips. Danny hasn’t quite swum that deep this year – quarter-finals in both the Masters and UK Open, plus a Euro Tour final appearance. Solid player. Tough to look past. This one could well be heading to extra time.

So sit back and enjoy.