Crossword Genius

Initial success as gnat, firstly, squished (6,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flying start

'initial success' is the definition.
(getting off to a flying start is starting well)

'gnat firstly squished' is the wordplay.
'squished' indicates an anagram.
'gnat'+'firstly'='gnatfirstly'
'gnatfirstly' is an anagram of 'FLYING START'.

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for flying start that I've seen before include "Advantageous beginning" , "See 6" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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