Chambers keeps his olympic bid on right track

Chambers, 34, used all of his experience to claim his sixth national title at the Alexander Stadium, clocking 10.25 seconds to edge out Gemili (10.29), with James Dasaolu in third.

Only Gemili and Dasaolu had the current ‘A’ qualifying standard of 10.18secs and could therefore secure their Olympic place by finishing first or second, while Chambers now has until July 1 to run the time and confirm his place.

“I’m just glad to have got that part out the way,” said Chambers, who was cleared to run in London earlier this year when the British Olympic Association’s lifetime ban for drugs cheats was overturned.

“That was the most scared I’ve been in a long time, I didn’t even think I was going to finish in the top three, that’s how bad it felt.”

The majority of events yesterday went with the form book, but world bronze medallist Andy Turner must rely on a discretionary place after finishing third in a high-quality 110m hurdles.

Turner, who claimed a surprise bronze in Daegu last year, was beaten by Andrew Pozzi and Lawrence Clarke and said: “Obviously I didn’t come here for third place, I hope that was enough to qualify for the team.”

British record holder Lawrence Okoye made up for his failure at last year’s trials by winning the discus, while Robbie Grabarz – ranked second in the world in 2012 – was an easy winner of the high jump.

Martyn Rooney and Conrad Williams qualified for the 400m, with Rooney pledging to take a more low-key approach into London.

“I love reading about myself but I can get carried away by it,” Rooney admitted. “I don’t want to build myself up just to fall.”

Elsewhere, Goldie Sayers sealed her place and a 10th AAA’s javelin title, while Perri Shakes-Drayton and Eilidh Child were successful in the 400m hurdles and Nick McCormick joined world champion Mo Farah in the 5,000m. World indoor bronze medallist Andrew Osagie was a confident winner of the 800m as Michael Rimmer failed to seal his place after fading to third in the final.