Intelligence but not at the top? (7)
I believe the answer is:
lowdown
This clue is a double definition.
'intelligence' is the first definition.
(lowdown can mean information)
'not at the top?' is the second definition.
'but' is the link.
(Other definitions for lowdown that I've seen before include "Dope" , "Data" , "facts" , "news" , "Inside information - mean" .)