Cryptic crossword clue
Declining personal mount, duke takes the van

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DOWNHILL

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Declining" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case declining = downhill.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does DOWNHILL mean?

DOWNHILL noun
  1. The fastest of the disciplines of alpine skiing.
  2. A rapid descent of a hill in related sports, especially in alpine skiing.
DOWNHILL verb
  1. To take part in downhill skiing.
DOWNHILL adjective
  1. Located down a slope or hill.
  2. Going down a slope or a hill.
  3. (by extension) Easy.
  4. (by extension) Deteriorating, getting worse.
DOWNHILL adverb
  1. Down a slope.

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