DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

PRIZES of £20 will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions checked. Solutions to: Daily Mail Prize Crossword No. 16,033, PO BOX 3451, Norwich NR7 7NR. Entries may be submitted by second-class post. Envelopes must be postmarked no later than tomorrow. Please make sure you enclose your name and address.

ACROSS

1 Winner, one with a choice fruit (8,4) 8 Crop hair, cutting current top (7) 9 I double over in gym, earning praise (7) 11 President deters Democrat leaving top brass (10) 12 Genuine regret following conclusion of fight (4) 14 Firm statement of intent by needlewomen? (4-4) 16 Improve English for enlisting in Royal Marines (6) 17 Initially pay a sovereign for each (3) 19 Downgrade duke and earl on the spot (6) 21 A university loo receives minute increases (8) 24 Dope makes a contribution to reinforcements (4) 25 Superior place to learn grammar? (4,6) 27 Old warship’s gone off with everyone on board (7) 28 Old girls worried about independent fuel sources (3,4) 29 Carrier’s job causing euphoria? (12)

DOWN

1 Simulated victory ritual Irish overturned (7) 2 Scrooge’s bargain at Billingsgate? (10) 3 Surpass unfashionable clothing worn by team (8) 4 Tainted corrupt umpire (6) 5 Pretend to be mountain-climbing Yankee (4) 6 Endure a small amount of work during release (7) 7 Traditional union with roasted mutton, diamonds and ring? (5,7) 10 Nervous mothers inquire about fluid for picnic item (7,5) 13 Cooked liver and lime laced with cold pasta (10) 15 What’s drunk in late afternoon (3) 18 Busy time to hurry douche, might one say? (4,4) 20 Warmer and damper (7) 22 Moving cautiously around ring, using lasso (7) 23 Abduct and set up in bed (6) 26 Head European limited by embargo (4)