SCOTLAND’s Jamie Bowie made a satisfying start to his 400-metres campaign at the Olympic trials last night, winning his heat comfortably in 46.65 seconds. The 27-year-old from Inverness knows he will face stiffer opposition in this afternoon’s semi-finals at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, but has given himself a solid platform to build on.

“I just wanted to blow out the cobwebs and set up a nice rhythm, and I felt I did that,” Bowie said after his victory in the first heat. “I’m quite happy with how it went.

“I think it’s going to be difficult, but I come here every year to get into the final. I’ve just got to do it now.”

Bowie was selected for the GB relay team at the 2013 World Championships after impressing at the trials, and he thinks he has a fighting chance of being named in the squad for the Olympics. “I think it’s as good as anybody’s, really,” he said. “I’ve got a good track record of running in the relays.”

Former European champion Martyn Rooney sauntered home to win the fifth heat in 46.81 and should be favourite to win tomorrow’s final. Matthew Hudson Smith was four-hundredths of a second slower than Bowie in winning the fourth heat, while other heat winners were Rabah Yousif (46.99), Nigel Levine (47.13) and Dwayne Cowan (47.26).

London Olympian James Ellington qualified quickest from the first round of the men’s 100m, winning the last of nine heats in 10.27sec. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was second fastest in 10.30, just ahead of Andrew Robertson and Richard Kilty, the former world indoor champion. “I’m feeling good at the moment and think I’m in the shape to do it,” Ellington said when asked if he thought he could maintain his edge over the opposition today.

Dwain Chambers, now 38, should also be in the mix today after recording the fifth fastest time in 10.34. James Dasaolu cruised through as a heat winner in 10.48, and should also be in contention both in the semi-finals at 2.20pm and in the final an hour and a half later.

Desiree Henry was fastest in the heats of the women’s 100, easing into the semi-finals in 11.14sec. The other heat winners were Daryll Neita (11.44), Imani Lansiquot (11.52), Sophie Papps (11.53) and Asha Philip (11.57). The semi-final is at 2.05pm today and the final is at 3.40pm.