Scotland’s Danny Keatings underlined his growing stature as an elite performer on the pommel horse at the World Cup Finals in Madrid.

The 18-year-old European Junior all-round champion only got into the Spanish event as a late reserve, and he did himself proud by finishing fifth with a score of 15.075. 

It could have been even better if he hadn’t suffered a slip at the end of the routine. 

Keatings’ Huntingdon club mate,  Louis Smith, the Olympic bronze medalist, finished in fourth place with 15.600 points.

England’s Kristian Thomas, who received a last minute call from Madrid to take part in the floor final, was anther to finish in fifth spot.

Having three gymnasts in the world finals reflects the growing strength of British gymnastics – with teenagers Keatings and Thomas already being primed to reach a peak at the London 2012 Olympics.