GUARDIAN CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

NO. 28,028

ACROSS

1 Pause during race to turn top on damaged post (3,4)

5 Dutch woman is Utrecht’s ultimate 20th-century artist (7)

9 Faulty satnav restricted parcel courier (5)

10 Time to request stuff for working party (4,5)

11 Ambassadors from Spain fail to spot sign (10)

12 Plant found mostly in decaying vegetable matter (3)

14 Top people act differently to this prominent Mexican feature (12)

18 Priest leaving church leader a true tale translated for Alfred, Lord Tennyson once (4,8)

21 Essentially miserable time? (3)

22 Bones intended, it’s said, for special religious ceremonies (10)

25 Great and good tucked into alcoholic beverage found in grass (9)

26 Roman magistrate dismissing a French race (5)

27 Mafia boss hiding gun parts and drug in prison (7)

28 Male in nude dancing in the centre of wood (7)

DOWN

1 Instagram contribution covering points for spiced drink (6)

2 Colour in comic book character (6)

3 Fox eating a waste product in fungi (10)

4 Treasure about to be returned to safe (5)

5 Drastic extra power for Queen in court (9)

6 Silly fashion upset head of textiles (4)

7 Republican rabble leaders put mobile into roadside bomb that’s exploded (8)

8 Sit alone twiddling lower extremities (8)

13 Exercise books on American tree rewritten as part of 18’s work? (10)

15 University lecturer interrupting enthusiastic reception for part of cycle (9)

16 Animal full of vegetables died satisfied (8)

17 Arms trade leaders entertained by numerous delegates (8)

19 Popular company’s not in good shape (6)

20 New seat given to sailors behind (6)

23 Inflexible soldier breaking free (5)

24 Sickness from epidemic 18 got rid of (4)