Alan lee’s cryptic crossword no. 444

Across

1 Engineers tested racers using guarded methods. (5,7) 9 2001-year-old twists words. (3,4)

10 Felt how awful Prokofiev character was. (3,4) 11 Thwarts weapons at Olympics. (5)

12 Life in Essex is ten cents a day. (9) 13 Indisputable but unspecified. (7)

15 Doctor angered aristocrat. (7) 16 Battles with dynasty are heating

up. (7)

19 Reacted badly to set-up. (7) 21 Smuggler has peculiar

carpet. (9)

22 Sausage is lowest grade, I’m

told. (5)

23 Hair swept back to our

charm. (7)

24 Check out covers for

blinkers. (7)

25 Sly Lee avoids making puzzle

this. (6,6) Down

2 Ship’s guide keeps one looking healthier. (7)

3 Expires eating last crust from regular meals. (5)

4 and 18 Rush is superior to

Lee and top doctor. (7,7)

5 and 19 Harvesting as hospital rooms are economizing. (7,7) 6 Dodge around rent problem with a fair deal. (4,5) 7 Smooched with nothing on, and ran around. (7) 8 Proposed over fruit, when invited out. (7,5)

9 Typist with Canadiens can’t skate. (6,6)

14 In trashing U.S.A., I could be harsh. (9)

17 Bump into attendant during riot. (7)

18 See 4 down

19 See 5 down

20 Pest has fixed period before it ends life. (7)

22 Turn with part of foot. (5)