Crossword

ACROSS

3 & 9 Across Jockey goes on favourite - why? Because it mocks

politicians (4,1,3,4,3,3)

8 She removes article from another girl (4)

9 See 3 Across

10 Used a spade, holding right opiate (4)

11 Old sex appeal is way out (4)

13 I spin a yarn about an Israeli port (5)

17 Nearly a nut - stateless – hooking up with Goodman (6)

18 Part of engine in post, sent out (6)

19 Argues Shearer is harbouring conjecture (5)

22 Angle naturally hiding Scottish valley (4)

24 In situ? No, out of what could be North or South (4)

25 Old ship marshalled by Tasman, going for a song (5,5)

26 Volunteer soldiers are popular in Scotland (4)

27 The weather confounds the Steelmen (8)

DOWN

1 Uncivil type snaring husband (5)

2 It's not safe to let down one's guard (9)

4 It's warth having the girl on the rebound (5)

5 Run off to the match (5)

6 Camp Capone finds Indian cattle (5)

7 Winding up can force relative to go inside (8)

12 I return to a trivial item (4)

14 Hint at taking out annuities (9)

15 Generosity of regal characters gains three points (8)

16 Stone without a friend? (4)

20 Rene and I are mad about the boy (5)

21 Leads away some glam rockers (5)

22 General concession (5)

23 Port seen from the sea - it's only from the starboard side? (5)

LAST WEEK'S SOLUTION:

Across 1, Ecosysyem. 8, Alive. 9 & 19 Down, So

far so good. 11, Rimini. 12, Heriots. 13, Ashe. 14, Rip. 17, Rea. 18, Abba. 21, Conduct. 23, Thrust. 24, Address. 25, Genoa. 26, Leicester.

Down 2, Chore. 3, Stalin. 4, Too. 5, Matisse. 6, Miniver. 7, Resistant. 10, Site. 12, Hermitage. 15, Pairing. 16, Abysmal. 19, See 9 Across. 20, Adores. 22, Evita. 24, Ali.