| TOPNOTCH | Excellent or first class (3,5) |
| TOPHOLE | Slang term for excellent or first-rate (3-4) |
| BUSINESS | Not economy or first class |
| MAIL | It may be junk a€“ or first class? (4) |
| GOODLIER | More excellent or virtuous |
| PREMIERE | The first performance of a musical or theatrical work or first showing of a film (8) |
| CATEGORY | Class of tiger, say, or first sighting of yeti (8) |
| RIPE | Connected to "harvest", word meaning "ready for picking/reaping" or "fit for eating", as in fruit or grain; mature, mellow, pungent or rich, as in cheese or wine; perfected; or, informally, excellent |
| PRIORITY | Greatest importance or first concern |
| LEONARDO | Mr Nimoy, or first a turtle? (8) |
| DIPLOMAT | An official, such as an ambassador or first secretary, engaged in the conduct of the relations of one state with another (8) |
| DIAMONDS | A judge or first woman in suit right for book? (8,3,7) |
| STARTERS | Known as biga in Italian and levain in French, pre-ferments used in the process of making sourdough; or, first courses of meals (8) |
| COCKCROW | A rooster's matutinal boastful "doodle-doo" as a signal of aurora, dawn, daybreak or first light (4-4) |
| TOPPING | Surface layer of food such as a sauce, garnish, sprinkles or any of those on a pizza; or, a dated word meaning excellent or splendid (7) |
| MOTORIST | Car driver in Oregon first to go after vehicle safety test (8) |
| WORTHY | Admirable, excellent or deserving (6) |
| SUPERB | Excellent or outstanding |
| BEST | Most excellent or out standing |
| AWESOME | Excellent or outstanding (7) |
