The Crusader’s clues

1 Pains taking against cut (5)

Derided book a man took from an abstainer (9)

Are they overcooked? (6-4,5) Plant, say - without an insect! (9)

Place backing Miss Right (5)

12 A hero specified vowels (7)

Dry round Des withdrew (7)

Gains made by a thousand fools (7) 18 Good guy the last to

go (7)

20 He died, caught by returning storm (5) Ruling out wet clothes disqualifies top (9) Modest sort of spar, if neglected (4-11)

A risk of displeasure during short soak (9) Bird dog with its lead removed (5) 4 9 10 11 13 15 22 24 25 26 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 12 14 16 17 18 19 21 23 Bill raised with good reason (5)

Will shorter horse tails do? (7)

Compromises eliminate resentment, said leader (9)

Friends shoot two gutted enemies (7)

Wild lady - lady awed by saints! (7) Indiscretion is half understood (5)

King in a story raving wildly (4,3)

Rubbish album Radiohead improve (9) Point stern Republican opposed by Democrat got across (9)

One runs around with a piece of fruit (9) Heights topped by a North African (7)

Crikey, a detective’s broken this sign! (7) Evil target from the South is in deep (7) Chuck takes some daily in error (7)

Free reign oddly lacking around bank (5) Concert undiminished by electronic music (5)