Crossword

Across

1 Main thoroughfare of Venice (5,5) 7 Passenger seat of a motorcycle (7) 8 Make fun of (5) 10 Instance — lawsuit (4) 11 US gambling centre (3,5) 13 Isabel (anag) — descend a cliff by rope (6) 15 (In cricket) close of play (6) 17 Noble whose title cannot be inherited (4,4) 18 Be afraid of (4) 21 Walk stiffly (5) 22 Apparatus for circus acrobats (7) 23 As things turned out (2,3,5)

Down

1 Strong winds (5) 2 Greedy (4) 3 Repudiation (6) 4 Start working (8) 5 Blend of diverse things (7) 6 Viewing aid (10) 9 Situation of financial comfort or security (4,6) 12 Military report (sent in haste?) (8) 14 Flavouring derived from a species of crocus (7) 16 Midpoint (6) 19 Make a great effort (5) 20 Inexpensive restaurant (4)