Crossword Genius

Elite go to bed drunk, according to Spooner (3-6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

top-flight

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'according to spooner' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'elite go to bed drunk' is the wordplay.
'elite' becomes 'top' (I've seen this in another clue).
'go to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bed drunk' becomes 'flight' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'top'+'flight'='TOP-FLIGHT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for top-flight that I've seen before include "Excellent -- best possible" , "Of the highest class" , "Superior" , "Highest level" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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