TWO SPEED CROSSWORD

QUICK Across

1. Will (9) 8. Mythical bird (3) 9. Acted without ambition (6,5) 11. Understands (7) 12. Pleasant surprise (5) 13. Banner (6) 15. Support (6) 17. Fortune-telling cards (5) 18. Presided over (7) 20. Cross-country runs (11) 22. Tree (3) 23. Financial organiser (9)

Down

2. Age (3) 3. Anoint (5) 4. Most senior (6) 5. Tornado (7) 6. Military command (7,4) 7. Withdrew from a competition (9) 10. Disaster (11) 11. The constellation Ursa Major (5,4) 14. Deteriorate (2,2,3) 16. Accumulate (6) 19. Blackfly (5) 21. Before (3)

CRYPTIC Across

1. If you want to make it, you will! (9) 8. Fabulous bird in a frock! (3) 9. Was unenterprising, having a house on the pavement (6,5) 11. Collects in the rags, perhaps (7) 12. Buy one a drink for medicinal purposes? (5) 13. Flag officer? (6) 15. Staff provided to help the disabled (6) 17. Sailor returned to show an old card game (5) 18. Took the meeting and was carried off triumphantly (7) 20. A case perhaps for harmless pursuits (11) 22. A wood in Lancashire (3) 23. He is known in society for caring for money (9)

Down

2. Time for some other adventures (3) 3. Put oil on fish, we hear (5) 4. This son normally succeeds (6) 5. A tortuous swindler (7) 6. Order a gift to members (7,4) 7. Made one’s mark as a non-runner? (9) 10. He’s after a feline with a strip of leather calamity! (11) 11. Barge rate turned out to be astronomical! (5,4) 14. Attempt to pocket a ball, but lose one’s nerve? (2,2,3) 16. A shipping company, we hear, to make a profit (6) 19. Fly from a ship (5) 21. The rate that has been deducted before (3)