The BIG Saturday Crossword

Cryptic clues

Across

1. Had a meal at the pub? It’s only natural! (6)

4. Mother’s baby’s bed

could be lucky (6) 9. Sharon’s just an awful composer of waltzes (6,7)

10. Take over from a sheriff holding one pound up (7)

11. Lance could be

spotless (5)

12. It’s valuable when it’s

a complete group (5) 14. Spoilsport getting the

strap (5)

18. An age to find the

Muse (5)

19. Substitute two

materials (7)

21. Bush’s holdings are worth half of this! (4,2,3,4)

22. Deign to reassemble around the north for the conclusion (6)

23. Bowler mixing English

and French ‘drink’ (6)

Down

1. Damage caused to retiring Northern Ireland panel (6) 2. Lack of wrestling regulations on an open ship? (2,5,6) 3. Get in a different

colour (5)

5. Possibly rip coat with

fruit (7)

6. Worrying matter as race formula is decided (5,3,5) 7. Infusion of leaves from the desert is a new idea (6)

8. One trembling like a

writer? (5)

13. Observe return of boy

from public school (7) 15. Return the

Spanish meat - it’s inadequate! (6)

16. Scrape against the

fireplace (5)

17. Vulnerable nurse? (6) 20. A bit of a break from

war, say (5)

Down

1. Arachnid (6) 2. Inspiration (13) 3. Chinese animal (5) 5. Jealous (7) 6. Military bluster (5-8) 7. Room for

manoeuvre (6) 8. Allude (5)

13. Very large (7)

15. University site (6) 16. Savoury jelly (5)

17. Hypnotic state (6) 20. Saying (5)