SOLUTION TO PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 15,803 —

ACROSS: 1 Athlete. 5 Sprawl. 9 Bramble. 10 Oxidise. 11 Tut. 12 Cotoneaster. 13 Rhine. 14 Evergreen. 16 Piston rod. 17 Optic. 19 Merchandise. 22 Pad. 23 Con brio. 24 Forlorn. 26 Recess. 27 Remorse.

DOWN: 1 Arbiter. 2 Health insurance. 3 Ebb. 4 Eject. 5 Spoon-feed. 6 Raita. 7 Whistle-stop tour. 8 Neuron. 12 Credo. 14 Erroneous. 15 Gnome. 16 Pumice. 18 Cadence. 20 Horde. 21 Infer. 25 Ram.