Daily crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

1 Promote the majority

to the extreme (11)

9 18 as an animal (3)

10 Strengthen by putting

curb on power (9)

11 Ransack to get gun (5)

13 Officer on his own in

pass (7)

14 Keeper of haunt for

belligerents? (6)

16 Wind needed in blocks

in building (6)

18 Some proclaim it a

terrible copy (7)

19 Graduate carries the

can in the morning (5)

20 Disadvantages seen when worker is about to go one better (9)

21 Present returned ,

having come first (3)

22 Rationalist isn't paid to

have thoughts (11)

Down

2 Employ some ruses (3)

3 Trees may be pithy (5)

4 Show clearly how niece gets upset about five (6)

5 Scarf used to deaden

sound (7)

6 Rigid cord used on

repaired net (9)

7 Bear the burden of

having authority (5,6)

8 We shall intend having mixed gin, having good intentions..

(4-7)

12 .. of backing ruler

who is alien (9)

15 Look closely at chopper sent up to pit (7)

17 Phrase used by

celestial being (6)

19 Mother wants her boy

to be a craftsman (5)

21 Alas, we have eaten

nothing (3)