CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

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 16173, 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 60.

ACROSS

1 Doctor curbs oil and suet consumption (12) 8 Muscovite runs against American and Welsh girl (7) 9 West Midlands university rector acquires new hassock (7) 11 Poorly educated, lacking character? (10) 12 Old man entertains fourth opera star (4) 14 Wrap up hours spent in tip (8) 16 I hear Queen’s consort provides boost (6) 17 It identifies one flag of course (3) 19 Joke about old certificate for banger (6) 21 Spurge, not bay, produces jubilation (8) 24 Brilliant display in Cleveland (4) 25 Beats and insults OAP? That’s out of order! (10) 27 Top dog to drink more bubbly (7) 28 End fuel tanks – it’s imperative (7) 29 Piece cool Ulsterman composed, incorporating tango (12)

DOWN

1 Let’s somehow retain top-class ship for fights (7) 2 High-spirited Boris to sue criminal (10) 3 Second carpet more expensive (6-2) 4 Don’t lag, swapping parts for maintenance (6) 5 Frank’s working around gym (4) 6 Dicky twice admitting wife’s hostility (3,4) 7 Swipe papers and device in hotel room (7,5) 10 A sparse April scuppered further evaluations (12) 13 Replace tights here? (4,6) 15 Stop working and drive now and then (3) 18 Pest lives in shade (8) 20 A pound for the very young quiet song writer? (7) 22 Fool drunk with rum packed chamber (7) 23 Puzzle to solve in UK and US? On the contrary (6) 26 Assess big game (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.