CRYPTIC QUICK

Riverside condition meant a loss showing on one’s balance (4,9)

8. Tried to devour a need for it (11)

12. Democrat leader being terse about it - ! ='>

14. The fruit of wrath may be sour when out of reach (6)

16. His business is growing (6)

18. Leave one marooned along the shore (6)

19. Policy Agnes took out against their being shot in skeet (4,7)

23. In contrast, I’d ban this mixture for a smuggler (13)

Down

1. Italian sea horse (4)

2. First school child attends in sudden change of direction (4)

3. They let one suck up what are clutched at in desperation (6)

4. Such waters, being alcoholic, are well provided (6)

5. Frost put up as an independent chieftain (4)

6. How to prune the ends by mistake (4)

9. ? ! @Q - & = >

10. Say how it is the axle-pin gets broken (7)

11. It isn’t new, to be so exploited (4)

Across

1. Spry (6)

5. Informant (colloq) (6)

8. Rent (3)

9. Seasoned (6)

10. Of late (6)

11. Partiality (4)

13. Last appearance (4,4)

14. Commence (5)

15. Embarrassing blunder (5)

19. Public scribbling (8)

21. Ripped (4)

22. Lower in rank (6)

23. Depose (6)

25. Place a limit on (3)

26. Ability, courage (6)

12. It is handy to be fed up at top table (4)

13. X Z a cruet (3)

15. It’s decay that starts ruin of trees (3)

17. Ring again to get the sentence quashed (6)

18. Sailing around without one to send a message (6)

27. Informal evening meal (6)

Down

2. Visualise (7)

3. Flu or other illness (colloq) (3)

4. First-born (6)

5. Small river (6)

6. Persistent and unpleasant (9)

7. Church law (5)

12. Miser (colloq) (9)

16. Abandon (7)

17. Cut through (6)

18. Abdominal exercise (3-3)

20. Blusher (5)

24. Weaken (3)

19. In China, seal a portion of meat on the bone (4)

20. They may be graphic, or applied to a degree of a sort (4)

21. ) @ % ! [ miscellaneous pieces (4)

22. The band, depending on the shoulder, may have its cord (4)