Points to a top-class manuscript (4)
I believe the answer is:
aims
'points' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'top-class manuscript' is the wordplay.
'top class' becomes 'ai' (resembles A1, old-fashioned term meaning excellent).
'manuscript' becomes 'ms' (abbreviation for manuscript).
'ai'+'ms'='AIMS'
'to a' is the link.
(Other definitions for aims that I've seen before include "Points a weapon" , "Proposes or intends" , "Sets sight on, having ambitions" , "Objectives, purposes" , "Sets sight on target" .)