CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 May cook things up, but with exaggeration of how hard it can be (4,1,4,2) 9 Find an alternative section of a track (5) 10 One in force starts to select grounds (8) 12 In relation to a first name, it may be a bit grubby (7) 13 Alarm at a sudden movement by the French (7) 14 Make pastry dishes, thanks to the right seasoning, at the beginning (5) 15 Announced that I’d gone away, having struck fear into others (9) 18 It’s madness to mix in two additives, but it was the right thing to do (4,5) 20 Odds on having the Spanish lecturer for some time (5) 21 Doctor may taper with some data (7) 24 Have little time to work out a case of subversion (7) 25 In France, I unveil composition by a teenager (8) 26 Brief appearance in the quarter sessions (5) 27 Join forces with others in a congregation (3-8) DOWN 2 May be unaffected by painting to a smaller extent (7) 3 Took pains with oxen to produce growth (9) 4 Bernard (or Sarah) might go a long way in the theatre (5) 5 Pay tribute to a leading counsel, and swear to follow on (7) 6 Has too much time when open to view (5) 7 Doing very little, and what is done is of poor quality (3,2,2,4) 8 Screened some former pupils who had found a remedy (8) 11 May feel dancers could be transformed into snakes (3-2-6) 16 Made preparation to produce a banquet for soldiers, on time (9) 17 Set a high value on savings from capital (8) 19 An undergraduate could become the boss of a hospital department (7) 20 Show some respect, regarding a spirit (7) 22 Is about to get out on the course (5) 23 Object to a slight girl, initially (5)