### Clue: Nearer snatching the lead, but never a victor (5)
### Answer: LOSER 
 ### Explanation: Definition: never a victor

(c)**LOSER** ("nearer", *snatching the lead*, i.e. first letter)
 

 
*Not convinced by "snatching" as a deletion indicator, as to me "snatching" is "taking something" rather than losing it.