PIRATES legend Craig Boyce ranked Chris Holder among the leading contenders for global glory after insisting his compatriot had a title chance.

Former Poole hero Boyce believes Holder could succeed on the world scene – if he applies himself consistently and remains level-headed.

Boyce’s comments come ahead of the 2012 Grand Prix season-opener in New Zealand tomorrow (4am).

After finishing eighth in each of his previous two world championship campaigns, Holder has been tipped to win the series by skysports.com, who labelled the Pirates skipper “world title material”.

Boyce is no stranger to performing on the big stage having finished third in the last one-off world final in 1994.

And he reckons Holder is now ready to mix it with the sport’s heavyweights.

Boyce told the Daily Echo: “If he can apply himself through all the GPs, which is like what Greg Hancock did last year, finish in good positions and keep his feet on the ground, he can definitely win it.

“I wouldn’t say he was the favourite but then I wouldn’t like to pick any of the favourites, to be honest.

“He is in the top five that have got a good chance.”

If Holder is to propel himself up the rankings, he will have to overcome big guns including reigning champion Hancock and speedway royalty such as Jason Crump and Tomasz Gollob.

But Boyce thinks the Pirates star is well prepared for the challenge.

He said: “Chris is quite experienced himself now.

“He has had a couple of years with Torun in Poland, a couple of years in the GP and in the World Team Cup.

“I think that, mentally, he couldn’t have had it any tougher, so I would like to see him keep going – right from now.”

Boyce, Pirates’ leading all-time points scorer, has tracked Holder’s early-season progress and thinks it bodes well for the 24-year-old.

He added: “I think he is going to be superb.

“I don’t want to put pressure on him, but he is starting to come of age, in my eyes.

“He had to learn his trade first but he has had a good Aussie season. He has got a good, solid head on his shoulders and he has got a positive attitude.

“I watched him win at Sheffield in Shane Parker’s farewell meeting and I think he could be in for a good season.”