Jack Green believes he is running into good form at the right time as he looks to catch Dai Greene and Javier Culson at London 2012.

The 400 metre hurdler smashed his new personal best with a time of 48.60s as he finished fourth behind the world’s leading duo at last weekend’s Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace.

Green had been disappointed after last month’s Olympic trials in Birmingham when he felt he missed out on a real chance to beat the world, European and Commonwealth champion but his last performance before the Games has put him in a far more optimistic mood.

The 20-year-old, who trains with Greene, said: “I’ve finally run a PB so it’s nice to have that under my belt so close to the Olympics – it’s great timing.

“I’m much happier than after the trials. Although it was great to be selected after finishing in the top two, I felt I had an awful race. Dai wasn’t on top form then and I threw that opportunity away.

“But I seem to be coming good when it really matters. I hit a hurdle quite badly and stuttered into another one so there should be more to come.

“I’d love to be able to challenge people like Javier and Dai – that’s the ultimate aim this year and that’s what I’m working towards.”

But the towering Kent athlete admits it might take a favourable outside lane to give him the best chance of achieving his dreams this year and is therefore determined to make sure he’s as quick as possible during the early rounds.

Green said: “I hate the inside lane. I’m 6ft 4 and need to be on the outside. Lane seven is where I’ve run both my PBs now and my top three quickest times from there so I’ll need to try and sort that for the Olympic final! Give someone a fiver or 20 quid or something!

“I don’t think there’s going to be much easing down from anyone at an Olympics so I’m not even going to think about that. I’m going to make sure I run through the line to win heats and qualify for the next rounds.

“In the heats it’s a random draw but I guess it’s 400m wherever you start from so I’ve got to deal with it.”

Green is also confident the home crowd will give him an extra edge, adding: “I think it’s going to be immense at the Olympics. I’ve run both my personal bests at a British Diamond League event so obviously the home crowd has something to do with it.

“So if we double the numbers, hopefully we can take another half a second off or something!”