A top man in the lead (5)

I believe the answer is:

ahead

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'in the lead' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'a top' is the wordplay.
'top' becomes 'head' (synonyms).
'a'+'head'='AHEAD'

'man' acts as a link.
This may not be right. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "In the leading position" , "In the future" , "Winning" , "In the vanguard" , "In front as in race" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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