CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16,170, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be datestamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 64.
ACROSS
1 Butt in, or chance being crushed (8)
5 Commuter belt coach carries Polish around (6)
9 Sort of bowler not quite prepared for battle (8)
10 Bravery medal expands a bit, possibly an ounce? (3,3)
12 Standard choice of adjacent characters (4)
13 Flummoxed, I try female ancestry (6,4)
15 Split up to retain margins of eastern major shareholder (6,7)
19 Business back in state causes anxiety (13)
23 Imaginative person’s coming round at four (10)
25 Clever bishop stops drink (4)
28 Our NHS could make charge suddenly (6)
29 Austrian royal worked hard with UK and Spain to retain Cape (8)
30 TV presenters swap places and move to another area (6)
31 Unruly youth Toby somehow inspired Nelson (5,3)
DOWN
1 Queen managed to control one horse (6)
2 Drink’s a bit unpredictable when sent up (5)
3 Fine artist’s ‘Ladies fingers’ (4)
4 Screen NI police once put up to hide old reserves (7)
6 One chap’s heading off to collect egg (5)
7 Not sure northeast should be combined with 4 (9)
8 Times article comes with extra, incidentally (2,3,3)
11 Record is kepth in Washington (4)
14 Blast’s nearly late going up (4)
15 Gay prince made a mess of eulogy (9)
16 A century of distinction (3)
17 Young woman’s crazy about India (4)
18 Use this to build small eatery earlier (8)
20 About to acquire just what’s needed for ceremony (4)
21 Plug poetry that’s hurtful (7)
22 Plant should get IT installed for speed (6)
24 Check over special tree product (5)
26 Obscure book having this on its cover? (5)
27 Slough, a typical place to store tools (4)
NEED A CLUE? Text TIP to 65700 to receive FOUR answers to today’s crossword, or call 0901 293 6236. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Today’s clues available between 00.01 today and 23.30 only.