Signet Ace extended his impressive Nottingham record by setting the fastest first round time of the Arena Racing Company Eclipse.

A winner of the Select Stakes and Trainers Championship top division in his last two visits to the track, Kevin Hutton’s runner also set his name in the record books as confirmed by the racing office’s Peter Robinson.

He said: “I can confirm that the 3.77 sectional is a new record; there haven’t been any adjustments to the timing mechanism. I think Signet Ace looks a worthy favourite to win it.

“Of the rest, admittedly with a local bias, I was very impressed to see Churchill Holly come from fourth/fifth place to win her heat. Normally you would think she would have to lead to have any chance. I also liked Candy Man and given the way the draw is working out with only two wide seeds, he should have a decent chance of making it through to the final.”