Possible Clues:

• Something absolutely adorable, with 'the'
• The cleverest of them all from college and university on trial
• Most endearing among kittens, say
• Maximally adorable
• Great conductor, a match for the most appealing
• The cleverest of them all removes Spring from press cutting
• Most sweet and endearing
• Coveted role in a boy band
• Like a blue-ribbon baby photo, perhaps
• Copper's exam brings forth the cleverest