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Very small thing used to promote Reagan? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hyperon

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'very small thing' is the definition.
(sub-atomic particle)

'to promote reagan?' is the wordplay.
'to promote' becomes 'hype'.
'reagan?' becomes 'ron' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'hype'+'ron'='HYPERON'

'used' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for hyperon that I've seen is " subatomic particle".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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