Crossword Genius

An excellent start to the course (5-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

first-class

'an excellent' is the definition.
(I know that excellent can be written as first-class)

'start to the course' is the wordplay.
'start' becomes 'first' (synonyms).
'to the course' becomes 'class' (synonyms).
'first'+'class'='FIRST-CLASS'

(Another definition for first-class that I've seen is " Top flight".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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