Conspicuous success put down to powder on bearing (5)
I believe the answer is:
eclat
'conspicuous success' is the definition.
(eclat means an impressive level of success)
'down to powder on bearing' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'on' could be 'at' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'at' is located in the answer.
'bearing' could be 'e' (East, a compass bearing or direction) and 'e' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'put' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eclat that I've seen before include "Ceremonial elegance and splendour" , "Conspicuous success or distinction - in France" , "Splash" , "Acclaim; showy display" , "great success" .)