A mount for a naval rider? (8)
I believe the answer is:
seahorse
'rider?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.
'a mount for a naval' is the wordplay.
'a mount' becomes 'horse' (I've seen this in another clue).
'for' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'a naval' becomes 'sea' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'horse' after 'sea' is 'SEAHORSE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for seahorse that I've seen before include "swimmer" , "marine creature" , "that's found in the main" , "Fish" .)