Crossword hat-trick

Cryptic No 1575 (answers in next week’s paper)

ACROSS

1. A little hurt when one decided not to compete (9) 8. I personally leave the Orient first (3)

9. Advantageously provided for – as a spa will be (4-7) 11. Stop at sea (5,2) 12. Official we’d be lost without (5) 13. Shoots descendants (6) 15. It’s fearfully ugly (6) 17. The strength of possibility? (5) 18. Mischief-maker spoke deceitfully and made insinuations (7) 20. His part is noted on stage (5,6) 22. Slippery part of the elm (3) 23. Reluctant to give credit (9)

DOWN

2. A tip for a player (3)

3. The rent is halved in that place (5)

4. The bay of the hounds? (6) 5. Do have a flutter, old lady! (7) 6. Special band for the match (7,4) 7. Persecuted fellows caught in legal wrongs by editor (9)

10. The part of the conductor? (7,4) 11. The price of silence? (4,5) 14. Spicy little things, crazy about Margaret! (7) 16. Very good speed for a very bad sailor (6) 19. The essential part of decimals (5) 21. Time to get out of the rat race (3)