ROBERT Tobin is putting himself under strict orders to relax in tonight's 400 metres heats at the AAA Championships/World Trials at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

It's been something of a flat season for the 19-year-old Southampton University student, pictured above, who started out with high hopes of earning individual selection for last week's European Under-23 Championships in Poland.

But he had to settle for a just a place in the 4x400m relay, which also ended in bitter disappointment.

Going into the race, the British quartet were fancied as potential medallists, but lead-off runner Allan Stuart didn't get the start he'd been hoping for and the team faded away to sixth in 3.06.79.

Tobin, who ran the third leg, reported: "We were miles down after the first leg. We weren't told the split times afterwards, but Allan didn't seem to go off fast enough.

"We made it up a little, but then I got cut up by the French guy on the changeover to Tim Benjamin, which didn't help.

"It was a good trip, but it was a bit frustrating that I didn't get an individual run."

Thankfully Tobin has fully recovered from the hamstring niggle that blighted the early part of his season. Now it's the psychological battle he needs to win.

The Todd Bennett-trained athlete from the Basingstoke & Mid Hants club said: "I'm not sure what's been missing this season. I think I've been pushing myself too hard in training and not running relaxed. At times in races I've been trying too hard to get the qualifying times."

Tobin's best time this season, a 46.97 run in Hungary, is still well short of the 46 seconds dead required for next month's World University (Student) Games in South Korea.

But he said: "I think anyone who does run 46 seconds this weekend would be in the relay team for the World Championships in France, so perhaps there's a chance of getting to the World Students with a slower time than that.

"I'm looking forward to the AAAs because I tend to improve as the rounds go on. I don't usually run that well in the first round, but then I pick up in the second. Hopefully I'll run quick enough to get to Korea."

Brookfield School's Ben Harding repeated last year's 800 metres silver medal-winning feat in the Schools' Home Countries International at Cardiff.

Once again, the 16-year-old from Titchfield Common had to play second fiddle to fellow England athlete Grant Baker, who had beaten him the week before in the English Schools' final at Sheffield. Baker this time won in 1.54.05, with Harding following up in 1.55.10. Next up for the City of Portsmouth lad is the AAA Under-17 Championships on August 16 in Sheffield.

Fifteen-year-old Hedge End race walker Nick Ball of Wildern School struck 3K walk gold in 12.59.43.

Don't miss Monday's Echo for a full round-up of all the local track and field action from the AAAs at Birmingham.