Named flier set the pace (6)
I believe the answer is:
titled
'named' is the definition.
(titling is a kind of naming)
'flier set the pace' is the wordplay.
'flier' becomes 'tit' (type of bird).
'set the pace' becomes 'led' (I've seen this in another clue).
'tit'+'led'='TITLED'
(Other definitions for titled that I've seen before include "Belonging to the peerage" , "as duke and duchess are?" , "Like posh fellow" , "Upper-class" , "Like a duke, say" .)