A principal in the lead (5)

I believe the answer is:

ahead

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

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

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "In the lead, in advance" , "Winning" , "What's down the road" , "Forwards" , "In front as in race" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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