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 16,493, 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 date-stamped 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 66.

ACROSS

6 Cancel Florence complex for remote link-up (10,4) 9 Butcher supplies this performing dog first (6) 10 Our lot go in to call chief (8) 11 Ring National Theatre to accept Bottom that is well trained (8) 13 The hollowed-out rotten tree may do this (6) 15 Review religious books in French resort (6) 17 Nearly new firm’s artwork (6) 19 Writer’s going round to stay in the same place (6) 20 Staff come back in before fast African runner (8) 22 Good Scottish cook is inspired by, say, blind assistant (5,3) 24 Continuous guardians of properties in Ireland (6) 26 Drug-related injury in a place I cut badly (14)

DOWN

1 Cleaner’s cutting undergrowth (9,5) 2 It has bite, whichever way one looks at it (4) 3 Irishman at church for spiritualist meeting (6) 4 I provide food, bringing in English women’s cold drink (3,5) 5 Small vehicle’s sign of damage (4) 7 Will leaves this in Maryland maybe? (6) 8 Cut exam in part of army for junior officers (5,9) 12 ‘Father Ted’ out of fashion? (5) 14 Relax with lecturer, art supporter (5) 16 Regular actor and sort of average joker (8) 18 Report the French band (6) 21 Score at top of dartboard (6) 23 Last of thread ran out, so I can’t do this ... (4) 25 ... or this, so

change course (4)