ALAN LEE’S CRYPTIC CROSSWORD NO. 431

Across

7 Total wreck sounds over the edge. (5-3)

9 Top points for creature turning bedding. (6)

10 A sucker initially meant “urgent.” (1-3)

11 Shade distorts and covers view. (10)

12 Flee legal advisor. (6) 14 Stands in after race starts. (8)

15 and 17 Stretch favour and lend

money. (6,6)

20 Deserter sent note kept by

president. (8)

22 Banner in place of

sticker. (6)

23 Only girl’s love overturned

missile ban. (10)

24 Fuzzy bear had no hair. (4) 25 The accent is on

footwear. (6)

26 Broken knee in trouble from

tendency to yield. (8) Down

1 Empty bar is curse in Queensland. (8)

2 Raise vessels then don’t. (4) 3 Humble child shows chest. (6) 4 William the First and Queen repeatedly stray. (8)

5 Silent about rise of Rome and it’s record. (10)

6 Trade soccer star to keep good doctor. (6)

8 and 19 Being reasonable to psychic is unexceptional. (4,2,6) 13 Stretcher has faults; messy ones. (10)

16 Quote after hours cost for

fertilizer. (8)

18 Work on hitter, so as to make

tactical thinker. (8)

19 See 8 down.

21 Dulled by covering

Shakespearean subject. (6) 22 Attacked and not a hit. (6) 24 First baseman and other

players. (4)