CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Axe the helicopter? (7) 5 Uses a stopwatch on

occasions (5) 8 River beside French city is

more enjoyable (5) 9 Sailor or soldier, right? (7) 10 Sort out monarch by gently

applying friction (8) 11 Transport shop turned over

(4) 13 Private remarks from assistants holding squadron leader (6) 15 Has, say, a road potential

danger? (6) 18 Reliable worker leaving

Santa Fe (4) 19 Plunders organised

mailbags (8) 22 Hogs’ ire combined is

monstrous (7) 23 Put your hands round father for a drink (5) 24 Shook off boxers’ blows

(5) 25 Temperature established

in storm (7)

DOWN

1 Can a saint have a game of

cards? (7) 2 Mark after Oslo’s top man

(5) 3 Area kept for travelling

bird (8) 4 State car at Adriatic resort

(6) 5 In carport I repaired

exhaust (4) 6 Junior going on about an

island in the Med (7) 7 Some players crumble in

rugby skirmish (5) 12 Plant cup is thrown into

river (8) 14 It’s hell for nine at sea (7) 16 Said TNT exploded far

away (7) 17 Bag hurt, getting in the way

(6) 18 Animal hospital opening

earlier (5) 20 Thicket, policemen said (5) 21 Spoil some interior detail

with these paints? (4)