CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Some horses may get tied in knots (6)

8. Braided hair of first pony-tail (5)

9. Novel-writing is the rub, right away (7)

11. One like Adam working out-of-doors (8)

12. Noisily drink first rum plus its variations (5)

15. Festive occasion for a convict to return to (4)

16. Fight to name all the points of the compass (3)

17. American expression for a double-curve? (4)

19. Slow down, one is told, for the intermission (5)

21. Become less of an undertaking (8)

24. Discussion group remains to be sorted out (7)

25. With a burden to lend a form to (5)

26. German money and French opportunity for buying and selling (6)

DOWN

2. Judicial hearing may prove a hardship (5)

3. Space between notes when the orchestra’s not playing? (8)

4. Drink with a Guildhall giant right inside (4)

5. It may dig out a black card (5)

6. Storehouse where one can drink nectar initially (4)

7. Begin to move prison (4)

10. No end of crack: it’s no different to other drugs (9)

12. He’s wise to be so green (4)

13. A flatterer, or one truce is arranged for (8)

14. The sennight sounds feeble (4)

18. Mischievous trick quietly to assign to a particular class (5)

20. We also known as vigilant in this form (5)

21. Junior player who got fired (4)

22. Nothing from Spain – and a mixture of it (4)

23. Designate it a part of the academic year (4)

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Startle 5. Parable 9. Pistachio 10. Pence 11. Aisle

12. Ski resort 13. Ostracise 16. Briar 17. Prink 18. Patriarch

20. Roundelay 23. Dupes 25. E-mail 26. Inamorata 27. Daytime

28. Tadpole

Down: 1. Soprano 2. Asses 3. Trademark 4. Ethos 5. Provident 6. Rupee 7. Bandolier 8. Eventer 14. Tributary 15. Impulsive

16. Blindfold 17. Portend 19. Hostage 21. Delhi 22. Yeast

24. Piano