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 the completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 17,271, 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 50.

ACROSS

1 Chap created agony so around Missouri in the distant past (4,5,3)

8 Only bat needs treatment in a significant way (7)

9 Animated musical film showing end of event with a slant (7)

11 Vague insurance policy

for part of a seat? (5,5) 12 Experts with outstanding

references ultimately (4) 14 Top Oscar we describe firstly getting awarded (8)

16 French articles about agent almost free of embroidery? (6)

17 Drink increased after

latest of victories (3)

19 Cheers by southern staff

for Dutch explorer (6)

21 Argue in a serious way with bloated rogue around Thailand (2,6)

24 Friend found in

Cornwall yearly (4)

25 One providing

a strip? (10)

27 First person, we hear, gets to endure spectacles, maybe (7)

28 Unit Bill largely

fashioned is fixed? (5-2) 29 Old boy amid merry crew I fancy in site producing drink (12)

DOWN

1 Senior nurses commuting

on trams (7)

2 Peeress in good Western

and Arab country (10)

3 Possibly employs a set of things for traditional dancing? (8)

4 Publicised section of tennis

match in beginning (6)

5 Some in turn avoided

nasty part of a beach? (4)

6 Doctor hosting aged copper in noted horse race (4,3)

7 A man bulletin misrepresented virtually (2,3,3,4)

10 Move fine stand? It is designed to hold cold chemical liquid (12)

13 Arouse hostility in worker facing pains slightly adjusted (10)

15 Guy in New York falling

short is a failure (3)

18 Pole brat vandalised

is easily carried? (8)

20 A fib admitted by senior international composer (7)

22 Prickly husband in set regularly left in borders of territory (7)

23 Last character, a Greek has debt uncovered in European capital (6)

26 Sound of grazing animal

that’s much loved (4)