Like the chance a slow starter has to finish a winner? (7)
I believe the answer is:
slender
'like' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'chance a slow starter has to finish a winner?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'starter' could be 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car) and 'l' is found within the answer.
'finish' could be 'end' (synonyms) and 'end' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ser' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for slender that I've seen before include "Willowy" , "Meagre" , "Feeble" , "Faint" , "Barely sufficient; thin" .)