Manx Grand Prix timed practice got underway yesterday evening on the Isle of Man minus Ryan Farquhar and William Dunlop.

They were on the entry list, but decided not to compete, although Michael Dunlop is riding in the Post Classic Senior class.

Close on 30 Irish competitors took to the 37-mile Mountain Circuit for practice in wet and blustery conditions, which kept speeds down.

Fastest rider of the evening was Douglas man Paul Smyth, who lapped at 104.021mph, to top the junior class on his R6 Yamaha, while Grant Wagstaff, riding a 750cc Suzuki, was fastest in the senior class at 102.645mph.

Best of the Irish riders was Shaun Anderson from Banbridge, the new Ulster Centre Senior Support road race champion, who lapped at 100.206mph on his debut, closely followed by Wayne Kirwan from Drogheda who put in a lap of 99.977mph.

Michael Dunlop appeared on a 997cc Trident Engineering Suzuki and lapped at 92.518mph to put him top of the Post Classic senior session.

Looking back to last year the Junior Manx Grand Prix was won by Randalstown rider Stephen McIlvenna and amongst those looking to emulate McIlvenna are Kirwan, Michael Sweeney, Ryan McCay, Andrew Brady and Stephen McKnight.