Ran the race to hold the pollen producer (6)
I believe the answer is:
anther
'pollen producer' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.
'ran the race to hold' is the wordplay.
'to hold' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'held' mean this).
'ANTHER' can be found hidden inside 'ran the race'.
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for anther that I've seen before include "Pollen part of flower" , "Pollen container of the flower" , "produces pollen" , "Part of a plant that contains pollen" , "Pollen-holding part of stamen" .)