DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Colt perhaps raised miserably next to motorway (7) 5 By entering exactly in reverse, you can relax here (3,3) 9 Former Tory leader in court lost (7) 10 Such power is in doubt after exchange of letters (7) 11 Cut top off tree (3) 12 Dull chemist managed to comprehend a subject (11) 13 Joke about university lecturer in Soviet camp (5) 14 Assault on vicious thugs running round U.S. city (9) 16 Republican Party aren’t accepting Democratic sponsor (9) 17 Pass round a rare hymn (5) 19 Tense secretary’s faultless, keeping time (4,7) 22 Mostly call about staff (3) 23 Defenceless husband’s left alive and well (7) 24 Teacher sent back fish dish (7) 26 Playing against very short South American (6) 27 Intellectual, say, has good start (7)

DOWN

1 Woman with her typical accessory admits new affair (7) 2 Tree problem causes the middle to rot (5,3,7) 3 Cut top off grass — this bit? (3) 4 New York opera includes Old Testament anthem (5) 5 It’s laid on table in pub in rocky desert (6,3) 6 Accuracy goes up after dispensing with car plant (5) 7 Its oil is curative, refreshing, serene and improving (7,8) 8 Name is missing from current electronic control (6) 12 A school of whales leaping over medium hot rock (5) 14 Oscar very nearly trips and reverses (9) 15 A way to retain county racing here (5) 16 Agent stops fool upending mineral (6) 18 Sort of oil spill in Leeds (7) 20 Young animals eating maiden’s shoes (5) 21 Nest unknown in lake (5) 25 Decline short story (3)

PRIZES of £20 will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions checked. Solutions to: Daily Mail Prize Crossword No. 15,684, PO BOX 3451, Norwich, NR7 7NR. Entries may be submitted by second-class post. Envelopes must be postmarked no l