Passes on how the easy victory is gained (5-4)

I believe the answer is:

hands-down

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'passes on' is the definition.
(handing down is a kind of passing on)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hands-down that I've seen before include "Of victory, won easily in manual manner?" , "Win thus to have easy victory" , "Win thus, easily and completely" , "Leaves - effortlessly" , "Win thus manually for an outright victory" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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