Protection on board secured by stablemate? (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
table mat
'protection on board' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'secured by stablemate?' is the wordplay.
'secured by' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (the solution is secured within the clue).
'TABLE-MAT' is hidden within 'stablemate'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for table mat that I've seen before include "Protector under plate" , "Protective pad placed beneath plates at meals" , "Metal tab (anag)" , "Protector from hot plates" , "Protector from hot dishes" .)