Laura Muir credits safety-first approach for European 1500m progression

Laura Muir says a safety-first approach kept her European title defence alive after an 'unusual' 1500m heat in Munich. The Scot waltzed to victory in a comfortable 4:06.40 but it proved a far from conventional contest for the reigning champion in one of the morning's opening multi-sport exchanges. Ad Muir was caught up in an early melee and after having her heels clipped on several occasions, opted to bolt to the front and stay out of trouble.

AthleticsAsher-Smith vows to bounce back after 100m disappointment11 MINUTES AGO She controlled the race from that point onwards to deliver another dominant display and follow up her long-awaited Commonwealth title claimed in Birmingham this month. Muir, who was tripped in the 2014 Commonwealth final when well-placed for a medal, prefers to adopt a different approach in the early heats but admits she was pleasantly surprised with her time ahead of Friday's hotly-anticipated final. The Inverness star, 29, said: «I'm not usually at the front for the rounds and it's not something I usually do.

»I actually got clipped a few times and was like: 'I'm getting out of here, I'm going to qualify as I've got lots of time to recover.' «I just wanted to stay out of trouble and qualify safely. »I knew that I wanted to go to the front a bit — I had plenty of time. «It's been a busy, busy season but I'm lucky I've got a big gap between the heat and the final here.

»I'm happy to qualify and I'm feeling really good and I've got one more to go. «I'm surprised that was 4:06m as that's quite quick for a European heat. »I'm happy with that, so it's now a matter of recovering for the final and I've got lots of time to recover before then." Muir has had a hectic season but is determined to go out with a