Crossword Genius

First-rate rook in sky (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

air

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

'first-rate rook' is the wordplay.
'first-rate' becomes 'ai' (resembles A1, informal term for excellent).
'rook' becomes 'r' (abbreviation in chess).
'ai'+'r'='AIR'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for air that I've seen before include "Song; ventilate" , "Space above and around" , "'Tune, melody (3)'" , "Refrain" , "distinctive quality" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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