First flight

IN THE FIRST FLIGHT, subs. phr. (sporting).—Those first in at the finish; in fox-hunting those in at the death.

  1852.  F. E. SMEDLEY, Lewis Arundel, ch. xxxix. Then you promise you will dine with me at Lovegrove’s, on Thursday, and I’ll pick up half-a-dozen fellows that I know you’ll like to meet, regular top-sawyers, that you’re safe to find in the FIRST FLIGHT, be it where it may.