__ the top; excessive
I believe the answer is:
over
This clue is a double definition.
'the top' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'excessive' is the second definition.
(over can mean in excess or excessively)
(Other definitions for over that I've seen before include "Given too much money" , "Bout of six bowls in cricket" , "bridge?" , "In the sky?" , "Six cricket deliveries" .)