CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 A retainer had to wait endlessly with a new model (7) 5 Reckons to have designs on some worthies (7) 9 Managed to get a great deal in the US for an English writer (7) 10 Did a historic revolutionary event take a month? (7) 11 Cover-up for a cricketer. It’s hard at the end (6-3) 12 Establish structure for one group at university (3,2) 13 Some might have used a new type of saloon-car (5) 15 Came out with former partner having ironed things out (9) 16 Did a great champion have magical powers? (9) 18 Capital old fellow playing a leading man (5) 21 Correspond with a good runner getting to eastern Spain (5) 22 Monster devoured old book on wind instruments (9) 24 Clarion call on time with the odd favourite (7) 26 Try to take a note with a will (7) 27 Stretches, at one time, to care for the last patients (7) 28 A large knife designed for a friend with an

old revolutionary (7) DOWN 1 Head off, having given credit to society writers (7) 2 Right at the start, we need to be rejuvenated (7) 3 Is in agreement that one has to make amends (5) 4 Prelates join lords and MPS in a small number of properties (3,5,7) 5 Champions dropping down the table into the relegation places (4,3,2,6) 6 Short firearm used by leading gangsters and terrorists (3) 7 Some beaters managed to get discounts (7) 8 Was frugal, but barely managed when defaced (7) 12 Guide one along the way, always at the end (5) 14 Have the brass neck to enter the inner vestry (5) 16 Set up home round a city in the US (7) 17 Following one’s line of work on purpose (7) 19 Lots cut short an assignation after ultimatum (7) 20 Did indecent former pupil have an affair? (7) 23 National carrier’s in charge. It’s fundamental (5) 25 Within limits, reckon to tie things down (3)