SIGNET ACE bounced back from a troubled run in the recent Monmore Gold Cup Final to grab gold in an thrilling and eventful Arc Select Stakes at Nottingham on Monday.

The prestigious £7,500-to-the-winner once-off traditionally brings together the big-race winners of the year and this year’s field included the Derby champion Thorn Falcon (Patrick Janssens), although after a moderate exit and first-bend crowding his chance was soon lost.

Up front Jaguar Macie, the Monmore Puppy Derby and Angel Of The North winner, broke smartly and looked set to dominate proceedings over the 500m trip only to move off at the first bend, which allowed the early pace of Signet Ace to range up inside. The pair came together at the second turn, with Graham Rankin’s bitch coming off worst.

However, the Kevin Hutton-trained Signet Ace, who earlier this year won the Winter Derby at Monmore, rode the bump and was in full flow down the far side and now looked to stretch his rivals out behind.

In behind, though, Tenpin (David Mullins) launched a challenge against the rail after also being crowded at the first bend and last year’s Romford Puppy Cup winner kept up the pressure, the pair coming together before Signet Ace (Laughil Blake-Forest Natalee, Sept 18) regained momentum to win by three-quarters of a length in 29.72sec (+40).

For winning trainer Hutton, who owns Signet Ace along with Mark Gilbert, victory at Nottingham was a second Select Stakes triumph after Dorotas Wildcat’s win in 2017. Incidentally, Monday’s winner is an uncle of Hutton’s Derby champion through his sister Forest Natalee, dam of Signet Ace.

Winning trainer Hutton was naturally delighted afterwards: “We were thrilled to win such a prestigious race for the second time and I thought Ace took his chance very well after running an exceptional opening two bends and then battling very hard to hold Tenpin.

“He’s taken the race ever so well and returns to Nottingham next week for the Trainers Judgement night which we’re really looking forward too.

“I don’t think he was ever at his best at Perry Barr during the Laurels, so he’s likely to miss the Birmingham Cup this year and take in the Steel City Cup at Sheffield instead before heading back to Nottingham for the Eclipse.

“I must say it was a great night at Nottingham. We were well looked after and the running surface and track in general looked superb and was clearly very well cared for, which was nice to see.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=376954&raceId=770305