CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
No 16,773
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 16,773, 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 datestamped 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 58.
ACROSS
6 Absurd tie on movie star gets excessive rating (14) 9 Developing state pillaged by Rome (6) 10 Raise hard number of holes on course, except secondlast (8) 11 Struggling, turned in Irish burglar? (8) 13 Charge Arab engaged in fight (6) 15 Rich old Italian family, one pursuing doctor (6) 17 Deliver sermon about boring eccentric chap (6) 19 Putting on work in primary school (6) 20 Cover for set is in river (8) 22 Good boy with nofrills violin blossoms (8) 24 Items to be discussed finish within range (6) 26 Occupants of 1 reach this oddly steep icy alcove (6,8)
DOWN
1 Order models displayed around classy parts of spacecraft (7,7) 2 Taunt heartless entertainer in court (4) 3 The Spanish block route and get ready to shoot again (6) 4 Induce sore feeling? I’m better after surgery (8) 5 Chase horse and other things first (4) 7 Top motorbike racing takes in county briefly (1-5) 8 Feed hay soonest when mown, or some time in future (3,2,5,4) 12 Bones a police officer found in middle of Africa (5) 14 Pan, or what may be in it? (5) 16 Trick old guys assuming grand nickname once (8) 18 Notice six Anglicans giving guidance (6) 21 Harpo’s eccentric old beacon in Egypt (6) 23 Set up phone (4) 25 Throw out group from Yosemite (4)
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.