The BIG crossword
ACROSS
9 One’s utmost to equalise with the champion (5,4)
10 He’s calling the dog McNeill (8) 12 Bag you find in the tool box (4) 13 Moisten everything, in case (6) 14 The dog, Harold, is carrying a ball (7)
15 Pauses at “Is back among these convinced” (9)
17 Males, I agree, can be a lot of beasts (9)
18 Got Pip, the dog, to go inside (7) 20 Start to boo the act now playing? (4,2)
21 File the brief communication (4) 24 Not watered down – honest! (8) 26 Shot when away taking a holiday (3-5)
28 Making a movement of fear, pale (4)
29 The question did somehow figure in again (6)
31 A crushing remark you consign to paper (3-4)
34 A star, for instance, gets the best part (9)
36 The only lightweight hat left? This is too much! (4,5)
38 Track not kept in a good state of repair (3,4)
39 Dismisses as “Just platforms for politicians” (6)
40 Drawing of a tree that’s unfinished (4)
41 See, behaving oddly on the plane trip, a foreigner (8) 42 Medication for the heart is not to be compounded in it (9)
DOWN
1 Is riveting in the love scenes (8) 2 Keeps away from the chasm, while about it (6)
3 Left late (8)
4 Stops where there are goods on display for sale (6)
5 A cheat on more than one occasion? (3-5)
6 It’s great to get away with overcharging! (7,3)
7 Tough and mean right through (7) 8 Less inclined to run with the dog (6)
11 Told to redo, changing the colour (7)
16 About that mask – it’s frightening (6)
19 Bag clasp (5)
20 Also raised the child (3)
22 I had backed “The Love State” (5) 23 Free the deserter the soldiers captured (6)
25 Assuming as a name when one’s business is collapsing (5,5) 26 United came out on top, you say (3)
27 Looked up “Lady’s Rings” (7) 30 Couldn’t stand trial when caught in the act (8)
31 For Greg Norman’s son, golf is the open sesame (8)
32 Drown one out, as you’d expect (2,6)
33 Didn’t stand one’s ground either and got nowhere (4,3)
35 Look – just back the ruddy horse! (6)
36 Taking a meal round in the boat (6)
37 Hurry up! It’s needed to correct a figure (4-2)