Crossword Genius

Chap having a sterling time at present (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lad

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'chap' is the definition.

'a sterling time at present' is the wordplay.
'a sterling time' becomes 'l' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'present' becomes 'ad'.
'l'+'ad'='LAD'

'having' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lad that I've seen before include "Boy, familiar" , "A young chap into ballads" , "Youngster" , "Boy or youth" , "Stable worker" .)

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