Gallant fellow almost allowed in running race (8)

I believe the answer is:

cavalier

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'gallant' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'fellow almost allowed in running race' is the wordplay.
'fellow almost' becomes 'vali' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'allowed in' indicates putting letters inside (I've seen this in other clues).
'running' indicates an anagram (the letters run around to different places).
'race' anagrammed gives 'caer'.
'vali' going within 'caer' is 'CAVALIER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cavalier that I've seen before include "'Thoughtless, offhand (8)'" , "Haughty" , "Herrick and Lovelace were such poets" , "Offhand; a gallant" , "Supporter of Charles I; lacking proper concern" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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