Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 30/07/13

ACROSS

1 Test someone better than she is to be convent chief (6,8)

9 Pistol, for example, is expensive when put on phone card (7)

10 Old jokes told at Napier, say, about mythical beast (7)

11 Peak condition found to be deficient when straitlaced (4)

12 Undistinguished expanse of land (5)

13 Tree trunk at which to throw ball, we hear (4)

16 Need tag to be altered? Denied (7)

17 Intimidating creature says there’ll be no more blood (6)

19 It’s top of the range if going back home (6)

22 Presented something over the top in dance music (7)

25 Fashion my first poem (4)

26 Copper, say, encountered Alexander briefly (5)

27 Boring pair in Perthshire (4)

30 Final resolution of disease collecting in preparation of organic material (7)

31 Decry fashion for tv serial (7)

32 One from floating city talks very scientifically, but it’s window dressing (8,6)

DOWN

1 Young lady is shut in, having used her money unwisely (8)

2 Clearing up ruffled dignity (7)

3 Made a comeback with highest mark on English in test (4)

4 Had a taste of power in snow vehicle (7)

5 and 6 What farmer does with a silo in case of deluge (7,4)

7 Nothing to see or recover thus from sherry (7)

8 Additional small picture among group (5)

14 Type of 26 goes straight to slippery customer (5)

15 Well done for nearly ending up courageous! (5)

18 Doesn’t accept being roughly silenced (8)

20 Eluding another treat (7)

21 Tripe he devised for Iolanthe (3,4)

22 Dangled possible chance to make happy (7)

23 Provoke a person shortly in Somerset town (7)

24 Dangerous drug with which to get a hit (5)

28 Mystical character inhabits last power before the French one (4)

29 Bunked off, being below average in reaction (4)

Monday’s solution

Across: 1 Foremost, 5 Circle, 9 Abdicate, 10 Counts, 12 In turn, 13 Slide, 16 Tendon, 17 Gradient, 20 Rail-head, 21 Ascend, 23 Abide, 25 Despot, 28 Apache, 29 Affluent, 30 Needle, 31 Gridiron.

Down: 1 Flat, 2 Rode, 3 Macintosh, 4 Set out, 6 Irons, 7 Considered, 8 Eastertide, 11 Snare, 14 Start again, 15 Anticipate, 18 Despoiled, 19 Bands, 22 Ask for, 24 Ethel, 26 Wear, 27 Stun.