SIR LANCELOT’S CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Sweet, almost painful wager (6) 5 Line in gym qualification from university we hear (8) 9 Conquered ice-cold alp with little failure (10) 10 V&A directions to an ornamental vessel (4) 11 English drinker with man revealing secret (8) 12 Listen to sound of whacks making clear blockage (6) 13 Payment gathering time in the fair (4) 15 New currency gets response from nervy person (8) 18 May I come before the Queen to be more powerful? (8) 19 Busy organiser showing skills in leaders (4) 21 One exploiting a Rebus novel (6) 23 Group of quads flexed by Ronald (8) 25 Gossip about King’s capture (4) 26 Dim seabird off course is one holding up the train (10) 27 Beastly collector, female, has record to chase down (8) 28 Quarrying one new ingredient of expensive porcelain (6)

DOWN

2 Deliveries of Dover sole in part (5) 3 Prominent canines kicking the bucket (9) 4 Sovereigns provided gold in decorative stud (6) 5 Individual with a large bill angry at one no-good road feature (7,8) 6 Pair finding key on menu, playing the organ (8) 7 Soldier half versed in being a donor (5) 8 Asses etc. I arranged as examples of transport (9) 14 Dine out with hot food coming up? Capital! (9) 16 Order friend’s bloke to be one who investigates complaints (9) 17 Acted to gather in drunken bores in the nude (8) 20 Mother has hidden purpose for a collection of old things (6) 22 Bargains on offer, including black fur (5) 24 Hunter not put off consuming port (5)