Bondage gear in SEATs Republican dropped off around noon (6)
I believe the answer is:
chains
'bondage' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'gear in seats republican dropped off around noon' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'in' is within the answer.
'around' could be 'c' (abbreviation for 'circa') and 'c' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'has' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for chains that I've seen before include "Fetters" , "Metal ropes with links (6)" , "Restriction" , "Cash in (anag)" , "Sequences" .)