Crossword Genius

Initial advantage given in race that reads badly (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

head start

'initial advantage given in race' is the definition.
(advantage at the start of a race)

'that reads badly' is the wordplay.
'badly' indicates an anagram.
'that'+'reads'='thatreads'
'thatreads' is an anagram of 'HEAD START'.

(Other definitions for head start that I've seen before include "An early advantage for the star ad" , "'The advantage of beginning ahead of others (4,5)'" , "Substantial initial advantage" , "Boost?" , "A good beginning using one's loaf" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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