Crossword Genius

Deliver study after worst dominated (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bestridden

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'dominated' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'deliver study after worst' is the wordplay.
'deliver' becomes 'rid' (e.g. deliver us from evil).
'study' becomes 'den' (term for a study or office).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'worst' becomes 'best' (both can mean to beat someone).
'rid'+'den'='ridden'
'ridden' after 'best' is 'BESTRIDDEN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bestridden that I've seen before include "As ponies may be" , "defended" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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