Brendan Dolan in the mix

Brendan Dolan believes he can mix it with darts' top players at the PDC World Championship.

The History Maker is hoping to live up to his nickname at Ally Pally as he looks to progress beyond the second round for the first time in his career.

Last year saw Dolan sent packing in his opening encounter with a 3-0 defeat against Kim Huybrechts but confidence is now high for the Northern Irishman as he prepares to face Mark Jones in the first round.

"I believe I can have a good run this year after a lot of disappointment last year," he told sportinglife.com.

"If I get a step further than the second round it will be a bonus and better than I've done before.

"You're always looking to better yourself and it would be lovely to win it."

Dolan reached the final of the 2011 World Grand Prix in Dublin before missing out on the top prize to Phil Taylor and hit a nine-darter in his victory over James Wade in the last four.

He enjoyed more success in the majors again this year with runs to the semi-finals in Dublin and the European Championship and that proves the man from Belcoo is on the right track.

"Getting to the final and doing the nine-darter is something nobody else has done yet so it's a good memory for me.

"I probably got all hooked up with the atmosphere and didn't concentrate enough on my darts for the three months after I reached the final.

"Once I settled down this year I had the confidence from the Grand Prix to knuckle down and play some good darts.

"I believed in myself a lot more and that I had the right to be mixing it with the best in the world.

"I'm just hoping I can go on a long run and recreate the Grand Prix in London."

Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week