Out ahead (7)
I believe the answer is:
leading
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">out ahead</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for leading that I've seen before include "In first place; space between lines of print" , "In pole position" , "Prominent" , "in van" , "Guiding by going in front" .)