Crossword Genius

Horse in shock couple of rounds - it’s trailing (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

appaloosa

'horse' is the definition.
(Appaloosa is an example)

'shock couple of rounds it's trailing' is the wordplay.
'shock' becomes 'appal' (synonyms).
'couple of rounds' becomes 'OO' (round can mean a round object like an O).
'it' becomes 'sa' (SA can mean sex appeal, as in 'it').
'trailing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'appal'+'oo'+'sa'='APPALOOSA'

'in' acts as a link.

(Another definition for appaloosa that I've seen is " Horse breed, with spotted rump".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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