Crossword Genius

Snake will follow annual sporting event (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boatrace

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sporting event' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'snake will follow annual' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'snake' could be 'boa' (boa constrictor, type of snake) and 'boa' is located in the answer.
'follow' could be 'trace' (synonyms) and 'trace' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for boatrace that I've seen is " sporting event".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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