CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 2. A GC I’m getting by sorcery (5) 5. It may take one up with a boost to one’s spirits (4) 7. Sudden as one’s decision to take a photograph (4) 8. Shamelessly bold and lacking foresight right away (8) 9. Fragrant old tree around end of garden (8) 11. Vertical drop with fence in it sounds funny (2-2) 12. There couldn’t be a better song than 6 or 28, say (7,6) 15. The sea mist has not finished, and the bar hasn’t opened (4) 17. Many mourn use of it (8) 19. Make cur feel his leader is in good spirits (8) 21. Diversify with variety that is theatre’s first exclusion (4) 22. Cut film used in expedition (4) 23. Extend period of loan, as it were, around 3rd June (5) DOWN 1. Admit defeat of nice one left in code (7) 2. One may clean up with a grimace (3) 3. It has a semblance of use GI can put it to (5) 4. Part of a tape recorder can hold past adjustment (7) 5. Cap and nothing more needed to swim in (3) 6. A bird taking a bit of fish to church (5) 10. Knob on an antler to lay before one (5) 11. Roughly 11 bushels for a classic poet (5) 13. It is of nicer sort of tree (7) 14. Palace official might look queer on the railway (7) 16. Head cold treated as it hurt (5) 18. Paddy takes this gourd to be a wallaby (5) 20. Gnaw one’s way through a theatrical part (3) 21. Solemnly maintain there’s nothing in the car (3)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Presidential 8. Renovate 9. Gong 11. Stein 12. Servant 13. Rail 15. Hebe 19. Posture 20. Utter 22. Idly 23. Militate 24. Narrow-minded

Down 2. Range 3. Saving 4. Detest 5. Isolate 6. Light-hearted 7. Prescription 10. Pry 14. Insular 16. Fun 17. Medium 18. Fusion 21. Trace