CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
No 16,636 WIN £500
FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16,636, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be date-stamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 64.
ACROSS
1 Dismissed at Old Trafford, ran around middle (7) 5 A small error masks good attribute (6) 9 I’d celeb recast as sound measure (7) 10 Replace engineers on holiday, as stated (7) 11 Punters on this arrived shortly (3) 12 Having no ties, university’s invested beyond its limits (3,2,6) 13 The way to defeat Spain (5) 14 Remains on shore, meaning to pursue delta (9) 16 Not many in this regime go charily for reform (9) 17 Try to leave business for Asian river (5) 19 Stand reportedly pointless pointer on ridge (7,4) 22 Several periods are withdrawn (3) 23 Intend cutting torn clothing (7) 24 Taken to task, this country enters different breed (7) 26 Touching couple get back together (6) 27 Firedog with metal (7)
DOWN
1 In which motorcycle passenger is belted up separately (7) 2 Unruly Ivan cut no ice with mum? Yes, mum! (15) 3 Bar university cutting lead (3) 4 Daughter left broken pottery (5) 5 Two fabulous creatures heading off without substance (4-5) 6 Several shells also exploded across bow of vessel (5) 7 Drummer in verdant forest with spirits? (5,10) 8 Scratching head, happy to be let out (6) 12 Old mother clutches, say, last letter (5) 14 Ear doctor trained as painter (9) 15 It ties up victory in the Borders (5) 16 Let’s make progress where nurses work (6) 18 Understudy Mark touring North Dakota (5-2) 20 African hunter longing to be in heart of Sahara (5) 21 Lifted section of flat road forming main artery (5) 25 Somewhere to plant bottom (3)
NEED A CLUE? Text TIP to 65700 to receive FOUR answers to today’s crossword, or call 0901 293 6236. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Today’s clues available between 00.01 today and 23.30 only.