Second in the race, out of seven (3)
I believe the answer is:
eve
'second in the race' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'of seven' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'EVE' can be found hidden inside 'seven'.
'out' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eve that I've seen before include "Lady of the previous night" , "Mother of Abel" , "See 27" , "One from Genesis" , "Previous day" .)