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 16,893, 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+, excl NI. Terms apply, see Page 56.

ACROSS

6 Line up judges during genuine final run-through (5,9)

9 Province’s result

disputed (6)

10 A gem of a very quiet horse father harnessed (8)

11 Resistance is lacking in crudely plastered base (8)

13 Class not

as busy? (6)

15 Disorder turns nasty around end of June (6)

17 Delayed taking a short break with daughter (2,4) 19 Ballet dancers hold on to this large container (6) 20 Show latest day to import cut diamonds (8)

22 I cured it somehow, creating more waste (8) Butcher’s product regularly amounts to nothing initially (6) Obscure number in squad entitled to drink litres (14) 24 26

DOWN

1 Notice superior officer auctioned novel that’s given by OU (5,9)

2 Study tango to make

an impression (4)

3 Priest displayed lively

character (6)

4 Unknown people managed without oxygen in airship (8)

5 Vault a feature of

familiar chapel (4)

7 Store grass and crushed linseed, nearly all of it (6)

8 Cool state broadcast

outside (3-11)

12 Dread forgetting

leader’s mistake (5)

14 Unflappable individual

in bed’s laid up (5)

16 What furious people do when rookie enters small club (8)

18 Fails miserably to impress Conservative concerned with tax (6) 21 Titled lady accepts

silver price (6)

23 One may not survive game with conservationists (4)

25 Neighbour set up big

piece of brass (4)