Crossword Genius

Understudy with good reputation (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

standing

'reputation' is the definition.
(one's standing is one's reputation or status)

'understudy with good' is the wordplay.
'understudy' becomes 'standin' (someone who stands in for someone else).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'standin'+'g'='STANDING'

(Other definitions for standing that I've seen before include "Status, reputation" , "Status - on one's feet" , "Being a candidate - status" , "(Of corn) not yet reaped" , "Bearing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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