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Everything perfectly aligned in request for later course (5-3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apple-pie order

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'everything perfectly aligned' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'request for later course' is the wordplay.
'request' becomes 'order' (an order is a request from someone in authority).
'for' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'later course' becomes 'applepie' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'order' after 'applepie' is 'APPLE-PIE ORDER'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for apple-pie order that I've seen before include "In which everything is neat and tidy" , "Everything precisely in its place" , "Perfect condition" , "Perfect arrangement" , "Perfect state of neatness" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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