Crossword Genius

How to pursue the chap who's burning up the track? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hotly

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

'how to pursue' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'chap who's burning up the track?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'chap' could be 'ly' and 'ly' is located in the answer.
'burning' could be 'hot' (similar in meaning) and 'hot' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hotly that I've seen before include "in an ardent manner" , "With zeal - as one may be pursued" , "Heatedly" , "showing eagerness" , "showing passion" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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