William Checuti and Nathan Lee Xuereb, Malta’s representatives at Monday’s ISSF World Cup Finals in Slovenia, continued to boost their aspirations ahead of the big occasion when placing high in the pre-competition Double Trap Grand Prix, yesterday.

Chetcuti had two good rounds of 48 before lowering his score to 46 in the qualifying phase of the event in Maribor, the same venue of Monday’s finals, for an overall 142 points from a possi-ble 150.

He reached the barrage with the highest tally followed by Sweden’s sharp shooter Hakan Dahlby, who had 141. Xuereb managed 43, 49 and 46 and qualified third on 138.

Dahlby looked the most composed shooter in the barrage and leapfrogged Chetcuti into first place after hitting 46 clays compared to the Manikata man’s 42.

Xuereb smoked 45 clays to secure third place in the final classification.

Top three: 1. Dahlby 187; 2. Chetcuti 185; 3. Xuereb 183.

The two Maltese shooters are under the tutelage of coach Jimmy Bugeja.