ANDREW Pozzi laid down the gauntlet at the London Anniversary Games, before pulling out of the final with injury.

The former Alcester schoolboy set a new personal best time of 13.19 seconds in the opening 110 metres hurdles race, ahead of fellow Brit David Omoregie, which was the fourth-fastest time on the UK all-time list.

It was also the ninth-quickest time of the year and a positive sign the young athlete is approaching the Rio Olympics in his best form.

However, he pulled out of the final as a precaution because of cramp.

He said on Twitter: “Cramp killing my day again. Won’t happen in Rio! Delighted to have run a personal best and be healthy going to Rio. Support was amazing as ever.”

In the final, Lawrence Clarke was disqualified for a false start, leaving Omoregie as the sole Briton. His time of 13.64 was only good enough for fifth as Frenchman Dimitri Bascou claimed victory in 13.20.