Prize crossword

For this puzzle we’ve provided two sets of clues, each giving the same answers. One set of clues is cryptic, one is quick. It’s a good way to hone your skills because it gives you two ways to crack the crossword! Once complete, the letters in the lilac squares, when read from top to bottom, left to right, will spell out a word — this is your prize answer. Write it on the entry coupon on page 127 and post it, email it or enter online. Two winners will be chosen randomly from all correct entries and whichever set of clues you follow, you have an equal chance of revealing the prize answer and winning!

Cryptic clues

ACROSS

1 Strange fable about fox’s first puzzle (6)

4 Theoretical muscle group stretch (8)

9 Set fire to whichever recital (6)

10 Huge depletion in fuel (8)

12 Even nongolfer gets to look (4)

13 Units of time belonging to us, it’s said (5)

14 Very small financial penalty (4)

17 Another chance to see union’s leader pulled from bidding process before agent gets deposit (6, 6)

20 Athletics contest sort of employs magic (7, 5)

23 Malicious distortion of the truth circulated about victory (4)

24 Pick 100, then 500 pages (5)

25 Troublesome kid is born a traitor (4)

28 Unfair ad inaccurately assured (8)

29 Julius maybe, turning back the waves, sat in carriage (6)

30 The ability to make a decision without having to pay is going to… (4, 4)

31 …sound like a choice to almost steal a piece of cake (6)

DOWN

1 Research facility built up above noble monarch’s residence (8)

2 Pointlessness of finally getting ‘Electric Company’ (8)

3 Something connecting learner with what’s on this page! (4)

5 Telling the story of a person battling garlic phobia (12)

6 Excessively large hammer, say (4)

7 Attack while one is on a yacht (6)

8 Narrator is a person who’ll help you with your account! (6)

11 Hearing of arrested officer? (5, 7)

15 Madness to go by plane when there’s nothing left to be eaten (5)

16 Dance held in West Angola (5)

18 Lock up little devil, giving rise to a polite refusal, perhaps (8)

19 Secret, troubling coteries (8)

21 Reject polish again? (6)

22 Note: fury is an illusion (6)

26 Tie that has appeal (4)

27 Duty paid on one cab (4)

Quick clues

ACROSS

1 Perplex (6)

4 Impressionistic (8)

9 Form of Christian prayer (6)

10 Massive (8)

12 Leer at (4)

13 Periods of 60 minutes (5)

14 Satisfactory (4)

17 Repeat of sporting footage (6, 6)

20 International multisport event (7, 5)

23 Wicked (4)

24 Sunshine of Your Love band (5)

25 Unruly child (4)

28 Fearless (8)

29 Roman emperor (6)

30 Power to act under one’s own volition (4, 4)

31 Outdoor excursion on which food is taken (6)

DOWN 1 Charles III’s Scottish castle (8)

2 Lack of effectiveness (8)

3 Connection (4)

5 (Of a film) chronicling someone’s life (12)

6 Implement (4)

7 Beset (6)

8 Bank employee (6)

11 Military trial (5, 7)

15 Fanciful building with no real purpose (5)

16 Code word for ‘T’ (5)

18 Put in jail (8)

19 Restricted to an enlightened minority (8)

21 Snub (6)

22 Trick of the light in the desert (6)

26 Sketch (4)

27 Passenger vehicle for hire (4)