BOLTON'S Stuart Stokes produced a brilliant performance in finishing fifth in the 3,000m steeplechase on Tuesday afternoon.

The 33-year-old, who retired from the sport two years ago when he failed to be picked for the British Olympic team, returned this year in the hope of making the English team for his third consecutive Commonwealth Games.

And he proved his class when he easily beat the top British steeplechaser, Luke Gunn.

Stokes, who finished fourth in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and fifth in Melbourne four years later, ran a consistent race, drawing on all his experience in not being fazed by the devastating pace of the three Kenyans who took the medal places.

He tucked in behind Gunn, and outpaced him on the last lap to finish the season, and an amazing return to the sport, at Britain's number one once more.