The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

CCCWC August competition voters’ comments
 
Clue no. 1: A feline with some lost gristle,initially,goes through a phase to keep its form!

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A clue to SHAPE / TIGER (Right & Left).
4 comments refer to this clue (from 4 competitors, 0 others)

Here is the text

Comments on the clue
1.Don't think this works. 'Initially' doesn't lead you to 'Some Lost' when 'gristle' is postioned inbetween.
2.The syntax in the first half doesn't quite work cryptically; some superfluous words in the second half with no clear anagrind
3.'Initially' appears to apply to 'gristle', not 'some'. 'Goes through a' doesn't indicate an anagram to me
4.Sadly, the subsidiary indications do not begin to work as suggested in the explanation.