Mantel openly defends bounder (8)
I believe the answer is:
antelope
'bounder' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'mantel openly defends' is the wordplay.
'defends' indicates a hidden word (the answer is defended or held by the clue).
'ANTELOPE' is hidden within 'mantel openly'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for antelope that I've seen before include "Reebok perhaps" , "Odd toe panel of this hoofed animal" , "Springbok, perhaps" , "Fast runner" , "Springbok or gnu?" .)