Crossword Genius

Ray of light down the shaft (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sunbeam

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'ray of light' is the definition.
(sunbeam is a kind of ray of light)

'down the shaft' is the wordplay.
'down' becomes 'sun' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'the shaft' becomes 'beam' (synonyms).
'sun'+'beam'='SUNBEAM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sunbeam that I've seen before include "Bright ray -- bus name (anag)" , "Ray of natural light" , "Bright shaft of daylight" , "sheds a bit of light" , "Ray of solar light" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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