Tyrone Smith needed only two attempts to safely negotiate qualifying and advance to today’s Commonwealth Games long jump final at Hampden Park.

Smith jumped a season-best 7.87 metres in his second attempt to finish third in his group, and seventh overall, to claim one of the 12 places on offer for the final.

The 29-year-old admitted that he was relieved to have passed his first examination in Glasgow without any hiccups and felt confident going into the medal round.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, these qualifying rounds are always so difficult to negotiate,” said Smith, who finished fifth at the previous Commonwealth Games in New Delhi with a jump of 7.76.

“It’s always difficult to get yourself primed, as you know that you have to be at your best within three jumps.

“I’m just relieved that I was able to get through without having to save it until the last jump.”

By his own admission, Smith has not jumped as well has he would have liked this season, although he believes that he will rediscover his peak form when it matters most in Glasgow.

“I’m pretty excited about how I jumped this morning,” the two-times Olympian said. “It was a season best, which I’m not necessarily proud of, but you have to do what you have to do to get into the next round.

“I slowed down a bit with my first jump [7.60] when I was trying to be too relaxed. My next jump, I thought I’d just bring some speed and I just ran and jumped as far as I could.

“I was hoping to jump over 7.90, but I’ve qualified for the final and that’s the main thing.”

Smith said that he intended to relax his mind as much as possible when he returned to the Athletes’ Village to prevent any competition anxiety creeping in.

“I’m just going to try and stay relaxed and make sure I don’t psyche myself out,” he said. “I’ll probably just kick back, watch a movie and try and keep my mind off things. I don’t want to get too excited too early.”

Greg Rutherford, the Olympic champion from England, was the leading qualifier with his opening jump of 8.05 earning him an automatic passage to the final. He and the South African Rushwahl Samaai, with 8.03, were the only athletes to reach the qualifying mark of eight metres.