Independent Cryptic #11321

2023-01-24

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Gathering of riders and hounds: was it proper? (4)

3a

See 2 Down

10a

Fruit went up in price? Hiked initially by smallest amount (7)

11a

Classical canine shapeshifting and beginning to talk (7)

12a

Ship train company's taken round island (5)

13a

See 2 Down

14a

Veronica's source of methamphetamine? (9)

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16a

Bouncers down under? Opener in trepidation bats here (5)

18a

Cook slowly leaves M&S having returned sandwiches (5)

19a

Esoteric knowledge from international, more talented, in decline (9)

21a

Clever in getting mastermind to stay over (9)

22a

Brownish colour very good in ocean (5)

24a

See instruments originally used in Enigma variation? (7)

25a

Routine changes where life develops (2,5)

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26a

Commando new to service seen with sappers in punt (5,5)

27a

Genius on pitch, now 4, in training with the French (4)

Down

1d

Philosophers said to be among clouds? (9)

2d
13a

(and 13 Across, 3 Across) "Maradona, in contest, so needs to be sent sprawling" (27) (5,7,2,10)

4d

Rat's tail carried by parrot, one in calm state (2,5)

5d

Witch in contact finds artist (7)

6d

Sneer at rules put to cooks providing course (4,6,4)

7d

NHS boiler becoming unpredictablenuclear scientist needed (5,4)

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8d

Have advantage over United in 0-0? (5)

9d

Solid has this diminished, torn asunder (5,9)

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15d

Always happyclose to rapturein Slough? (9)

17d

Old woman coming upon fox in part of woodfluke perhaps (9)

19d

See GP outside one facility in discussion? (7)

20d

Sailor Small is in church, separate (7)

21d

Sweet concretion here in Paris no good (5)

23d

Bug water vole's eviscerated (5)

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