Few would have backed Martin Gould to upset the odds against world snooker number one Mark Selby.

Gould, however, has little time for reputations and did exactly that at the World Grand Prix in Preston on Wednesday, winning 4-3 against the reigning world champion.

Having raced to a 3-1 lead, the 35-year-old, who practices at Rileys in Watford, made a career high 142 break in the deciding frame to claim victory.

“He doesn’t [give up] and that is why he is world number one and world champion,” Pinner-based Gould said of the triumph.

“If you don’t scrape him off the table, he is going to keep coming and coming at you, so it is very pleasing to get his scalp.”

The Pinner player's final frame break saw him go beyond 140 for the first time in his professional career and was a fitting way to seal a memorable win.

Such was his focus during the match, Gould didn’t acknowledge his landmark visit to the table until completing the fin al frame.

He said: “ I didn’t’ pay too much attention to it at the time, but speaking afterwards I was told I had joined the 140 club.

“It has taken me about 20-years of my career to get that far and it is quite surprising that I have not made it that far before.

“It is just one frame at the end of the day and you need to make sure you win four.”

Gould’s involvement at the World Grand Prix was only confirmed the previous week when he reached the German Masters semi-finals.

He was in impressive form throughout the tournament before losing 6-2 against Ali Carter in the last four to crash out.

He went into his quarter-final tie with Ryan Day knowing only a win would be enough to see him qualify for the World Grand Prix as the last of the 32 ranked players.

The increased pressure had little impact on Gould, who was pleased to have made the cut at the expense of Mark Davis.

“I didn’t know that I had to reach the semis in Germany to qualify and was told in an interview after I’d beaten Ricky [Walden], so no added pressure,” he said.

“Mark Davis is probably sitting at home feeling sick and there was not much between him getting in and me getting in.”

With the win over Selby, which is the second of Gould’s career, secured he says anything he achieves in Preston from now is a plus.

He said: “It is a Brucey bonus for me, so every match from now is a little bit of a bonus.”

The win over Selby sets up a second round tie against Masters finalsist Joe Perry, who Gould is aware will pose a significant threat.

He said: “There are no muppets at this event. There is 32 of the world’s best, so I know Joe is a great player himself.”