Double Crossword

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you’ve been wracking your brains) yesterday’s solutions.

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. It’s the chairman’s privilege in choosing suitable actors (7-4)

9 And 21 Down. Free the French racing tipster (3,3)

10. The way it’s converted by a nonconformist (9)

11. See 4 Down

13. Broken romance - it’s a fiddle! (7)

14. Assessing the value of metal in scrap material (6)

16. Express agreement for a rise, by the sound of it (6)

18. No agent will alter the weight (7)

19. Some of the sycamores include turpentine extract (5)

20. Few take part in this rule (9)

21. Have a topless dress (3)

22. Make a clean set-up and install an astronaut? (11)

Down

2. Some of the cheap trinkets will be suitable (3)

3. Put a watch on (5)

4 And 11 Across. Observe the directorate providing the basis for public information (6-5)

5. It’s love that’s spoiled by bloomers (7)

6. People should be well-suited if she’s efficient (9)

7. Refinement of Socialist speech after the start of the election (11)

8. Removing crooked tendencies, we hear, but creating financial difficulties (11)

12. Military stance causing a strain, by the sound of it (9)

15. The profit coming back to an artist falls (7)

17. Shows some response about part of the New Testament (6)

19. One of the family at court (5)

21. See 9 Across

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Sleight-of-hand (11)

9. Watch (3)

10. Retaining (9)

11. Surpass (5)

13. Utmost (7)

14. Gap (6)

16. Imagined (6)

18. Dispose (7)

19. Courtyard (5)

20. State (9)

21. Ocean (3)

22. Diploma (11)

Down

2. Sheep (3)

3. Enlist (5)

4. Tremble (6)

5. Ogre (7)

6. Wandering (9)

7. Likeness (11)

8. Deliberate (11)

12. Acquittal (9)

15. Prisoner (7)

17. Assistance (6)

19. Sudden fright (5)

21. Fixed (3)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Pick; 3 Proceeds; 9 Sea port; 10 Basin; 11 Disagreeable; 13 Tacked; 15 Penned; 17 Picture-house; 20 Green; 21 Methane; 22 Spaceman; 23 Bent.

Down: 1 Postdate; 2 Class; 4 Rather; 5 Cabbage white; 6 Epsilon; 7 Sane; 8 Long sentence; 12 Adherent; 14 Chimera; 16 Crimea; 18 Usage; 19 Ages.

QUICK

Across: 1 Echo; 3 Bearable; 9 Covered; 10 Louse; 11 Perspiration; 13 Demise; 15 Horror; 17 Intermission; 20 Outdo; 21 Skilful; 22 Fireside; 23 Prod.

Down: 1 Escapade; 2 Hover; 4 Endure; 5 Relationship; 6 Boudoir; 7 Ewer; 8 Preposterous; 12 Brindled; 14 Monitor; 16 Amused; 18 Infer; 19 Wolf.