CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Swimmer chats surprisingly about motor racing (7) 5 Piece of film about a hard Ottoman ruler (6) 9 Bendy bus froze, its starter failing in such temperatures (7) 10 Marine worked on lake that’s typically found underground (7) 11 Winning service card (3) 12 Phone sleuth avoiding large caravans (6,5) 13 Join forces in A9 (5) 14 It’s hard to open this Russian car in busy urban traffic at first (6,3) 16 Some hear broadcast about Kelvin — he’s working at last (9) 17 Correct workers breaching notice (5) 19 Bury cash in junction (11) 22 Posh service vessel (3) 23 Give title to toff in Henley not taking sides (7) 24 Italian food recipe Olivia spoiled (7) 26 OT book one has sent back with excellent contents (6) 27 Suspend party grandee initially looking cowed (7)

DOWN

1 Root vegetable fool steeped in sparkling wine (7) 2 Part of book circle in Belfast managed to keep happy (5,2,8) 3 Put coat on rocks (3) 4 Weapon Mafiosi picked up in hotel bar originally (1-4) 5 Soft material arrived with husband in den (5,4) 6 Start ignoring a meal (5) 7 Left chap with drink and pledge to host superior telethon, say (11,4) 8 Idiot keeping Home Counties secret (6) 12 Wound about ten using this gun? (5) 14 In British hotel, he asks stupidly about European tip (9) 15 Copy magazine that is enthralling (5) 16 Buffer’s black eye (6) 18 Pumps used in this entertainment (7) 20 He teaches a couple of bishops in religious instruction (5) 21 Old PM’s not touring right hospital (5) 25 Czar doesn’t start vehicle (3)

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 16,541, 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.