CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Confused about scent, yet judging on a superficial basis (6,7) 8. Moon, perhaps, shunning European friends (4)

9. Pageants look better when they're on (10) 10. Britain's left PM a couple short, going back through northeast (8)

11. 11 Stop believer embracing saint (6) 13. Hopeful boy is getting into drink dispenser (10)

16. Brown horse bearing black foal, say (4) 17. Blubber in round mass taken from sound (4)

18. Sorry detective force involved in breaking rule (10)

20. Deplore embargo covering moody music (6)

22. Gangster that's expert in head protection? (8) 24. The old years with DTs affected past times (10)

26. Smash hit's a near thing (4)

27. MacCool, say, to respond shortly, clutching a king's

Irish book (9,4)

DOWN

1. Prepared text from fuel company about tanker missing deadline? (11)

2. Find horrible Kasbah tours with regular disappearances (5) 3. Witness established uncertainty in row (9) 4. Freud possibly exercising mercy (7) 5. Significant number spread out to dry (5) 6. Former copper's competent, which may be forgiven (9) 7. Connection requiring a bit of patience (3) 12. Loan reportedly scrapped? I have a doubtful mood (11) 14. Underhandedly won title, long after injury (3-6)

15. Bodies of fools supporting motor clubs (9)

19. Cosmetic old lady used to cover a skin blemish (7)

21. Polar opposite to start work in shop, showing bravery (5)

23. Thick roll of banknotes curtailed religious judgment (5) 25. In Catalonia, the fine, mischievous spirit (3)