CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 It’s on the cards, at one time, to turn out quite harsh (7)

5 Model currency unit could be a worry (7) 9 A platter had gold finish, in relief (7) 10 In winter, the Spanish arrive to a great reception (7)

11 Go into a vehicle parking at first with a craftsman (9)

12 Went off on horseback to a cowboy show (5)

13 Find a South American doctor at a dance (5)

15 Notification of assignment with regard to a testimonial (9) 16 Traveller with itchy feet jetting off (9) 18 He steps in to act as a substitute for surgery (5)

21 Did a club take a break at the summit? (5) 22 Engineers tear up, about to produce some openings (9)

24 A day at a French resort is cut short. It’s quite diabolical (7)

26 Force everyone, for a long time, to build an old treasure ship (7)

27 Was surprised, when left out at the outset (7)

28 It’s difficult for an officer, in short. It makes things tight (7)

DOWN

1 Sketches out elaborate step taken by CID (7)

2 Rearrangement of characters like a North American unit of mass (7)

3 In fact, he mentioned the matter in hand (5) 4 On the table, arranged to have evened things out (15)

5 It’s stable and reliable, like a tugboat (5,2,8) 6 Look into the boiling point of grease (3) 7 Have to widen a country road in two directions (7)

8 Looks at alternative energy as a blot on the landscape (7)

12 Run along after popular sport in the country (5)

14 Drink at the right time when on the ball (5) 16 Scores in some quantities, it’s said (7) 17 Forced one train, at the start, into immobility (7)

19 Get back into the middle of a funeral procession (7)

20 Greek character spills the beans, on reflection (7)

23 Skilled worker trapped in a hostile regime (5)

25 Large cask turned over might bear fruit (3)