CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Disputed position of two horses, missing nothing? (5,6)

9 Armed police order a limit to

be placed around one (7)

10 South African company hires taxi firm in early stage of life (7)

11 Leaves squad without a back

(3)

12 Release group at no charge

(3,4)

13 Fortify huge complex in

fashion (7)

14 Policeman arrests old GP (3)

15 Head grabs small stick (5)

17 Sketch 14 at back of boat (5)

18 Do some research in model

vehicles (5)

20 Rent increased? Get abatement (3-2)

22 Golfer plays from here and

there regularly (3)

24 Football Association split

after Henry cut harsh rule (7)

25 Doctor accepts large ring’s

pleasing on the ear (7)

26 Group confined in Pentagon

in the past (3)

27 Miner runs after sheepdog

(7)

28 Missile’s explosive round

trip (7)

29 TT champions ruined exciting moments in court (5,6)

DOWN

1 CIA loyalist trained to enter top

refuge in state (9,6)

2 Prominent rock group reveal

hairstyle (7)

3 Ordinary judge to make

speech pompously (5)

4 Restless writer’s occupant of

ward perhaps (9)

5 Coming home in spring (7)

6 Corrupt adherents shared callous attitude (15)

7 Made broadcast to keep us

entertained (6)

8 Extremely clumsy gannet kicks out an immature bird (6)

16 Old tar spoils hotel in coastal

area (4,5)

18 Desert fault (6)

19 Favouring the best, European

catalogue includes it (7)

21 Sanctimonious celeb grabs

large seat at the back (7)

23 Provoke former Italian in

church (6)

25 Family crest: ‘Bring up rear,

not front’ (5)