Winder and Arant Haw near Sedbergh in Cumbria were the target hill tops on Saturday. And a top quality field from across the home nations gathered to fight out the places for the British Under 20s team to head for Italy next month.

After his excellent eighth in the European Championships in France last month, Jacob was aiming to cement his place in the GB team with another good performance over the 7.1km course.

But with two of the top English junior hill runners returning to action alongside his GB team-mates from France he was under no illusions that a tough challenge lay ahead.

Unusually for an uphill only course, in addition to the 690 metres of ascent the route included 250 metres of descent in the middle section in order to mirror the World Championship course in Italy.

Up to the first summit fellow Scot Andrew Lawler blazed the trail and established a good early lead which he maintained throughout for a convincing win in 36.03 minutes.

After settling in fifth place on the first climb, Jacob gradually moved up to challenge for third approaching the final 1km with its steep leg-screaming 150 metres of ascent and he steadily pulled away to secure a 20-second advantage at the top and the Championship bronze, finishing in 37.23.

Also running in the U20 Championship race was Jacob’s fellow Moorfoot Lucas Cheskin having only his third race back after a lengthy absence.

Having lost some ground in the fast middle descent section, Lucas rallied well before finding the final climb tough going. But he maintained his place to finish 10th in 43.13 and will surely improve for the run.

Jacob’s third placed earned him a place on the plane for the World Championships, which take place at Cassette di Massa in Tuscany on September 14.

The senior women ran the same Championship course as the Junior Men and in a field which was a who’s who of British women’s mountain running, a slightly jaded Scout Adkin finished in 44.03 for 11th place, secondnd U23 and second Scot.