Better to lose first slow walker (6)

I believe the answer is:

ambler

'slow walker' is the definition.

'better to lose first' is the wordplay.
'better' becomes 'gambler' (a gambler is someone who bets).
'to lose first' means to remove the first letter (I've seen 'losing first' mean this).
'gambler' with its first letter taken away is 'AMBLER'.

(Other definitions for ambler that I've seen before include "English thriller writer; walker" , "Walker who's rather slow" , "Fast-paced thriller writer? Yes" , "Stroller" , "Writer called Eric" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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