Crossword Genius

Fail to win in record lap in local relay (6-7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

closed-circuit

'local relay' is the definition.
(local electrical relay)

'fail to win in record lap' is the wordplay.
'fail to win' becomes 'lose' (synonyms).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'record' becomes 'cd' (type of musical record).
'lap' becomes 'circuit' (synonyms).
'lose' going within 'cd' is 'closed'.
'closed'+'circuit'='CLOSED-CIRCUIT'

'in' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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