Crossword Genius

The firm to race ahead with a textile product (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cotton

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'a textile product' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'the firm to race ahead' is the wordplay.
'the firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'to race' becomes 'tt'.
'ahead' becomes 'on' (synonyms).
'co'+'tt'+'on'='COTTON'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cotton that I've seen before include "Natural textile fibre" , "Material" , "Fibre including kapok" , "Golfing man" , "Plant, its fibres for yarn" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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