Crossword Genius

Those leading negligently-kept ewes away railed at hand (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

near

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'at hand' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for near that I've seen before include "Close; parsimonious" , "Adjacent" , "Within reach" , "unlikely to spend much?" , "Tight-fisted" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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