Gearlink Kawasaki’s Glenn Irwin topped this afternoon’s Motorpoint British Supersport free practice sessions, after getting within a tenth of Billy McConnell’s lap record.

The Northern Irishman’s title fight has lost momentum over the last few rounds but he put down a bold marker in this afternoon’s second free practice session.

Championship leader Luke Stapleford came closest, 0.053 of a second behind Irwin, and on numerous occasions he looked to be on course for the fastest lap but he was unable to replicate his pace on the first half of the circuit, through the final sector.

Irwin’s Gearlink teammate, Ben Wilson, put up one of his best showings of the year. The local rider ended the session third quickest.

Profile Triumph’s Sam Hornsey ended the session fourth quickest but was just under a second behind Irwin’s pace.

Traction Control’s James Rispoli edged out Smiths Triumph’s Jake Dixon to fifth quickest; the pair were separated by 0.066 of a second.

CF Motorsport’s Kyle Ryde battled to seventh quickest despite suffering from a trapped nerve in his lower neck. The talented teen is still in the championship hunt but with Stapleford’s form seemingly continuing and his neck injury hampering him, it could be a long weekend for the Jacksdale lad.

Andy Reid ended the free practice sessions eighth quickest ahead of the EVO duo of Jamie Perrin and Joe Collier, who tumbled at the bottom of the Mountain halfway through the session.

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