Hannah Miley back in action after medley victory

HANNAH Miley, fresh from booking her place in the Great Britain team for the world championships in Shanghai this summer, was in action again yesterday at the British Gas Championships in Manchester - contesting the heats of the 200m freestyle.

The European bronze medallist secured her spot in China with an impressive victory in the 200m individual medley on Sunday, when she produced a now customary storming breaststroke leg to pick off her rivals to win in 2:12.01.

The Scot said: "It definitely helps being able to get the ticket to Shanghai.

"It takes the pressure off for the rest of the week." Miley's time was the fastest in the world this year and she added: "I would have loved to do 2:11 but I can't complain."

Meanwhile, world champion Gemma Spofforth also booked her place on the GB team for Shanghai when she came from behind to beat friend and rival Lizzie Simmonds in the 100metres backstroke.

Simmonds surfaced first and was leading at the halfway mark before her Florida-based opponent overhauled her to touch in one minute 00.52 seconds.

Simmonds was 0.64secs adrift, outside the time required to make the team for Shanghai, although she will have another chance at the ASA National Championships in Sheffield in June. Spofforth beat Simmonds into second at the European Championships in Budapest last year before the positions were reversed in the 200m event. The win means Spofforth reclaims the title Simmonds had wrested from her last year.

Of victory and qualification, Spofforth said: "That was the mission coming in. You come here to get to the next round, I've got the 200 at the end of the week.

"That was really the race I came for. I've been working really hard on the 100. I'm a little bit disappointed with that time.

"I am hoping there is a little more to come in Shanghai but I'll go back to America, work really hard and see what we can do."

Ross Davenport booked his place for Shanghai when he held off the Commonwealth champion, Scotland's Robbie Renwick, to win the 200m freestyle.

The English record holder went out from the front and then just held off his fast-finishing opponents to touch in 1:48.34. Renwick was 0.18secs adrift, outside the qualification time and the Scot will have to attempt to claim the second berth at the ASA National Championships in Sheffield in June.

Of such a close race, Davenport said: "I always knew it was going to be the case.

"It's always nice to race the best, there were lots of great guys in the field.

"I probably went out a little bit too quickly."