Related Clues:

• ''... and --- to rise ...''
• Highest degree
• More than punctual
• On top
• Foremost
• Before the bell
• Like some birds?
• Like the bird that catches the worm
• Before dawn, perhaps
• Ahead of the pack
• Ahead of time
• Leading the pack
• At the head of the line
• Like some retirements
• Five in the morning, say