Double Crossword

Today’s grid
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Oct 2012, 13:00 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

3. Exclamation of disgust at having to return to obstacle at random (9)

8. Last second problem to beat (4)

9. One may be involved in a fall (9)

10. Spirits causing a kiss for the queen? (6)

11. Charlie shortly gets ring in disorder (5)

14. The way to produce beer is inside (5)

15. Lean object of no note (4)

16. Animal proving a hit in Los Angeles (5)

18. The bird is no star, according to Heather (4)

20. Instrumentalist having a smoke on the side (5)

21. An area of nobility (5)

24. Looked angry when lager was spilt, damaging head (6)

25. Use real egg in some kind of drink (6,3)

26. Cure when off-colour (4)

27. London ace turns up, causing a row (9)

Down

1. A bad plate, broken, can be changed (9)

2. Fast Dan’s about to get stuck in it! (9)

4. Open a container (4)

5. Guess Attila is at the church! (5)

6. One fanatical enough to laze about? (6)

7. Look up when having a dance (4)

9. Turn round before starting to mutiny (5)

11. Mad fish sound asleep inside (5)

12. Crew’s hip replacement, first knowledge of disaster (9)

13. Is it instrumental in making dream runs? (5,4)

17. Fruit very soft when put in drink (5)

19. Enthusiastic, hung about in governor’s office, initially (4,2)

22. Getting on with Ben among the Great Lakes (5)

23. Go round one side for unemployment benefit, perhaps (4)

24. Young ladies pleased to get involved (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

3. Boycott (9)

8. Nearest (4)

9. Conduct (9)

10. Badge (6)

11. Threw (5)

14. Big (5)

15. Skilful (4)

16. Bind (5)

18. Repudiate (4)

20. Encourage (5)

21. Entice (5)

24. Savage (6)

25. Skit (9)

26. Kiln (4)

27. Ken (9)

Down

1. Break (9)

2. Effusive (9)

4. Stalk (4)

5. Attain (5)

6. Scolded (6)

7. Rebuke (4)

9. Cap (5)

11. Feat (5)

12. Sleuth (9)

13. Alarming (9)

17. Frighten (5)

19. Cowardly (6)

22. Adhesive (5)

23. Revolve (4)

24. Stopper (4)

Thursday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

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Across: 1 Fete; 3 Operable; 8 Rare; 9 Flatfish; 11 Newfoundland; 13 Minute; 14 Stooge; 17 Straitjacket; 20 King Lear; 21 Drag; 22 Sparring; 23 Lean. Down: 1 Forename; 2 Throw-in; 4 Poland; 5 Rattletrap; 6 Brian; 7 Echo; 10 Footballer; 12 Heptagon; 15 Oak tree; 16 Strain; 18 Tonga; 19 Ekes.

QUICK

Across: 1 Away; 3 Scribble; 8 Rake; 9 Commence; 11 Conscription; 13 Theory; 14 Orator; 17 Intimidation; 20 Thorough; 21 Emit; 22 Pleasure; 23 Chic. Down: 1 Atrocity; 2 Askance; 4 Cookie; 5 Immaterial; 6 Bingo; 7 Ewer; 10 Scurrilous; 12 Frenetic; 15 Triumph; 16 Linger; 18 Noose; 19 Stop.