Related Clues:

• Almost failing to start ahead of schedule
• Not late but almost losing lead
• Like the bird that gets the worm
• How some people vote
• At great cost, heading off in good time
• In good time, like a nobleman quite possibly?
• Ahead of the due date
• Occurring once each May, say
• Heading off very much in advance
• Like an eager 'bird'
• Like an eager "bird"
• Very much forgetting day in the remote past
• Not just punctual
• Almost having taken head off, order dismissal
• Ancient, a little like an aristocrat?