Crossword Genius

Bud sent up first-rate state (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dubai

'state' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bud sent up first-rate' is the wordplay.
'sent up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'first-rate' becomes 'ai' (resembles A1, informal term for excellent).
'bud' in reverse letter order is 'dub'.
'dub'+'ai'='DUBAI'

(Other definitions for dubai that I've seen before include "Country" , "Arab city" , "Persian Gulf state" , "sheikdom?" , "One of the UAE and its capital" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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