CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

AGONISING OVER ANSWERS?

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ACROSS 1 Racing tipster arranged to give odds on horse (8,5) 10 One pursuing dog (5) 11 Listen secretly to first lady’s talk on the Fall (9) 12 It is compulsory for musicians (9) 13 The Yorkshire instrument is sharp (5) 14 Easterner annexes a state (7) 16 I’m inapt playing drums (7) 18 Fail to become bankrupt (2,5) 20 Has to change nag for wild horse (7) 21 Some more letters about room possibly that has been offered for rent for at least the second time (5) 23 See if strike occurs during international (4,5) 25 Lady adjusted her intake (9) 26 Dolt caught in sand (5) 27 How dirt was removed thoroughly after winter? (6-7)

DOWN 2 Tom is on hand to turn the pages (5) 3 Bernard I’d involved had the ribbon (3,6) 4 I bake an original in Japanese art! (7) 5 Make announcement and dry up (4,3) 6 Replant shaky trees (5) 7 Element an artist used for sauce (9) 8 Old car used by photographer on holiday, say (8,5) 9 Jenny Turner? (8-5) 15 Forty on board (6,3)

HUGH JOHNSON 17 Siam dam es revolutionised popular channels (4,5) 19 Going off up to team leader in the circle (7) 20 Medal si distribute, distribute improperly (7) 22 Inside centre visited fountain (5) 24 Nervous time, grammatically speaking (5)