Crossword Genius

Battle-hardened horse and rider set off (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

destrier

'battle-hardened horse' is the definition.
(medieval war horse)

'rider set off' is the wordplay.
'off' is an anagram indicator.
'rider'+'set'='riderset'
'riderset' anagrammed gives 'DESTRIER'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Another definition for destrier that I've seen is " Old warhorse".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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