KATE HOLDEN

ACROSS

1. Classic shot – but put the lid on ambition (5,5)

7. Roman bear founds old city state (4)

9. Boss, the French politician, provides help for underground miners (8)

10. Cargo for Los Angeles – minor collision (6)

11. A Spanish noble with one son, a beautiful young man (6)

13. Popular in safe, cushy job (8)

14. Captured bum? Dismissed! (6,6)

17. Deadly honest conception – the past as seen through rose-coloured glasses (3,5,4)

20. Put aside group with a role in

the drama (3,5)

21. Most modest inclusion in washy-washy estimates (6)

22. Request British award to include 51 thousand (6)

23. Angry vampire – they say it’s risky and reckless! (5,3)

25. Pulse, could be jumping or a runner (4)

26. Moons, perhaps, as Ali settles uncomfortably (10)

DOWN

2. Go into debt – finished, stalemate (8)

3. Conclude objective (3)

4. Trades in dubious leads (5)

5. Another stalemate – I’m over it! (7)

6. Briar rose in elegant profusion (9)

7. In an irresolute sort of manner, peacekeepers and detectives in action over the fringes of larceny (11)

8. 19, perhaps – and you can do it to a tomato! (6)

12. Bargaining for the country includes self-importance, territory and unity (11)

15. Irrational anger in supports for adolescents (9)

16. I call myself a ghost – it provides cover (8)

18. Dead end – it’s hard to play! (4,3)

19. Plead, fib, exhorts Spooner demanding extra (3,3)

21. Loot – betting on fossil fuel (5) 24. Yes, Italian embraces a thousand in winter sport (3)

Solution next week