The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word WEIGHTED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "given a handicap" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case given a handicap = weighted.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 WEIGHTED mean?
WEIGHTED verb- To add weight to something; to make something heavier.
- To load, burden or oppress someone.
- To assign weights to individual statistics.
- To bias something; to slant.
- To handicap a horse with a specified weight.
- To give a certain amount of force to a throw, kick, hit, etc.
- Having weights on it.
- Biased, so as to favour one party.
- (of a graph) having values assigned to its edges
- With the components of an average multiplied by particular factors so as to take account of their relative importance.
- Containing a large proportion (of something).