Crossword Genius

Back a favourite I'd found not so hot (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tepid

'not so hot' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'back a favourite i'd' is the wordplay.
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'a favourite' becomes 'pet' (synonyms).
'pet' backwards is 'tep'.
'tep'+'id'='TEPID'

'found' is the link.

(Other definitions for tepid that I've seen before include "Luke warm" , "without passion" , "Showing little interest or enthusiasm" , "Not very enthusiastic" , "lacking enthusiasm" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News and The Globe and Mail.
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