CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Stu left the piecrusts – golly! (6) 8. A bit of a thoroughbred? – Not really (5)

9. Clay pit was characteristic of its kind (7)

11. Get a fish from the card, Phil. (8) 12. Sees Lee Peters go for a bit of a nap (5)

15. Capital gains with a bit of seaweed (4)

16. Used comically to promote unusual nuances initially (3)

17. A major constellation (4)

19. Panorama generated when cavities have no ice (5)

21. They are required before take-off (5-3)

24. Nudged Ms. MacPherson, we hear, when she curtsied (7)

25. The robber has sheath-knife shaken out (5)

26. The 12th Greek was small and caused a revolt (6)

Down

2. Destroy Albanian revealing kinglike quality (5) 3. Descriptive of the first age and was pretty good, Mr. Doonican ... (8) 4. ... so. A quiet opera (4)

5. Loud music from address reportedly ... (5)

6. ... but returned with a brass instrument (4)

7. Head of clan had hold of this country (4)

10. Car in which to take the long way home? (9)

12. Replace 4s last with 1,000 and bathe in it (4)

13. What to do when shot with a bullet – Hey! Stop it! (3,2,3)

14. What to call two dads? (4)

18. Ask if Fred can have the boat (5) 20. He will be consistent with the associated selling (3-2)

21. Heard you got a couch from the urban centre (4)

22. Is the Bering Sea part of Ireland? (4)

23. The chance a bridge player will return with an Italian man and Bond’s boss (4)

Yesterday

Across: 2. Beryl, 5. Vats, 7. Obey, 8. Baseline, 9. Crushing, 11. Mock, 12. Stretch a point, 15. Jack, 17. Jamaican, 19. Brooklyn, 21. Reel, 22. Gybe, 23. Swept.

Down: 1. Taboret, 2. Bay, 3. Rabbi, 4. Lasagna, 5. Val, 6. Tonic, 10. Speak, 11. Maori, 13. Cajoles, 14. Neatens, 16. Array, 18. Mange, 20. Ore, 21. Rut.