Crossword Genius

Braveheart leader in advance (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ahead

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'in advance' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'braveheart leader' is the wordplay.
'braveheart' becomes 'a' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'leader' becomes 'head' (head is a kind of leader).
'a'+'head'='AHEAD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "in van" , "What's down the road" , "at pole" , "In the future" , "Winning" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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