Crossword Genius

See a race as a rip-off (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cheat

'a rip-off' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'see a race' is the wordplay.
'see' becomes 'C' (the word for the letter, according to Chambers).
'a race' becomes 'heat' (I've seen this before).
'c'+'heat'='CHEAT'

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for cheat that I've seen before include "fleece" , "Welsh" , "Fool" , "Skin" , "Dishonest dealer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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