Does better than start bolting the grub (5)
I believe the answer is:
beats
'does better' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'start bolting the grub' is the wordplay.
'start' suggests taking the first letters.
'the grub' becomes 'eats' ('eats' can be a synonym of 'grub').
The first letter of 'bolting' is 'b'.
'b'+'eats'='BEATS'
'than' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for beats that I've seen before include "Buffets" , "Tans" , "Regular routes for policemen" , "Rhythms" .)