Crossword Genius

Excellent prize fund, mine after retirement (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tiptop

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

'prize fund mine after retirement' is the wordplay.
'prize fund' becomes 'pot' (as in a jackpot).
'mine' becomes 'pit' (down the pit).
'after retirement' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'pot'+'pit'='potpit'
'potpit' in reverse letter order is 'TIPTOP'.

(Other definitions for tiptop that I've seen before include "Informally excellent, very best" , "Capital" , "The height of excellence" , "Quality" , "Best of its kind" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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