thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Having reached the last round, then failin’ maybe! (2,3,5)

8 Hope to find one well? (5)

9 Tower encountered round parts of Iran (7) 10 Apparently boards another’s child (7) 11 Girl needs two keys to escape (5) 12 Attack or shun, perhaps (6)

14 Was unconsciously noisy (6)

17 Recess would be pleasant about the end of March (5)

19 Mythical owner of a spirit lamp? (7) 21 Behave oneself, but romp around in bed (7) 22 Cruel sort of gain (5)

23 Having the support of the board, though too old to work (2,3,5)

DOWN

2 It’s often faced with resolution (3,4) 3 Lists some rogues (5)

4 Hunger is sharp about morning (6)

5 Girl eager to make cloth (7)

6 Some popular variety of grub (5) 7 Waiting for a timely instruction to take certain steps? (10)

8 Break off an engagement? (10)

13 Leave the ranks and walk briskly (4,3)

15 It’s essential to reform a cad and a liar (7) 16 Offensive tablet is changed (6) 18 Arrived with nothing, but got relief work (5) 20 Whom some call a heavenly being (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Contemporary (7-3) 8 Student (5)

9 To triumph (7) 10 Short-haired breed of cat (7) 11 Recurrent theme (5) 12 Stupidly obstinate (6) 14 Stoat’s winter fur (6) 17 Urbane (5)

19 A pasta dish (7) 21 Resilient (7)

22 To goad (5)

23 Reveller (10)

DOWN

2 Italian painter, d. 1520 (7) 3 Soothing ointment (5) 4 Italian city (6)

5 An idealist (7) 6 Leavening agent (5) 7 Animosity (3,7)

8 Great expert (4,6)

13 Take cover (7)

15 Venerate (7)

16 Difficult to deal with (6) 18 Warning signal (5) 20 Short wooden match (5)