FS-3 Racing Kawasaki's Danny Buchan controlled this morning's final Bennetts British Superbike practice as he clocked the fastest lap of the weekend.
A day after admitting to Bikesport News that he believes his maiden win could be in sight, ZX-10 rider led nearly the entire session as he set a 47.493, over a tenth clear of second-placed Dan Linfoot and just 0.031s off lap record pace.
After finishing yesterday second quickest, Buchan clocked the first 47s lap of the day to lead the order in the early minutes, but it was surprise for Smith's BMW man Hickman moments later as he blasted to the top.
But Buchan was quickly back in control and just a few minutes later, Buildbase Suzuki's Bradley Ray nudged Hickman back to third, just under two tenths off the lead.
Meanwhile, FP1 front-runner Brookes was making inroads as he moved up into fourth, but he was quickly deposed by Tyco BMW's Iddon who shoved him back to fifth with just over 30 minutes to go.
Just before the half-way point in the session, Scott Redding pushed his team-mate back one further as the day one front-runner went fifth quickest, but the BSB newbie was quickly dropped to sixth thanks to Honda Racing's Andrew Irwin.
With less than 15 minutes to go, Irwin powered up to second as Santander Salt TAG Racing's Linfoot followed him up the order into third.
But a few laps later Linfoot was nipping at the heels of Buchan, who bolstered his standing at the top with a 47.493 - the fastest lap of the weekend.
McAMS Yamaha's Tarran Mackenzie moved up into third just behind them, but back in 16th it was an early end to the session for Keith Farmer, who dumped his BMW at Turn 9.
A late flyer gave Jason O'Halloran fourth as he knocked Ray down to fifth while Iddon and Andrew Irwin bagged sixth and seventh.
Redding, Hickman and Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki's Glenn Irwin rounded out the top 10.
