Times Cryptic #26679

2017-03-22

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Across

1a

Fast runner in leading position backed, covered by stake (8)

5a

Endlessly put off covering a mark and smear (6)

8a

Without yen, very little money (3)

9a

Architect listened to great applause for modernising (10)

10a

Jacks in the drink: it's bitter (8)

11a

Playwright pulling back from boundary (6)

12a

Was told to ignore Resistance leader (4)

14a

In drink, German is beside himself (10)

17a

Conjuror's rueful remark, losing his stick occasionally? (3,3,4)

20a

Bird's tight feeling in stomach? (4)

23a

User of acid as anaesthetic about to be arrested (6)

24a

Unlike you, in play I act badly (8)

flowerflowerflower
25a

In the shade, running water and glass that's got left out (5,5)

26a

Grassy area is a little piece of greenery short (3)

27a

Go round one place several times (6)

28a

Jargon on lease reinterpreted (8)

Down

1d

Incorrectly rank hat as lambskin (9)

flowerflowerflower
2d

Land fish: is one going to tuck in? (7)

3d

Speaker's cat catching a rook (6)

4d

God, number one of that name? I believe in them all (9)

5d

Coupling a disadvantage as pair finally go for run (7)

6d

Outlaw's skill: poultry beheaded at end of day (5,4)

7d

Shark not female, like 6 (7)

13d

Walk quietly up, skirting unusual threat from this? (5,4)

15d

Losing footing, go down hard on board? It's not beyond repair (9)

16d

Tickle bird, badly worried (9)

flowerflowerflower
18d

Commander right about alternative to Hamlet, period (7)

19d

Too dry and hot unfortunately for visitor to Oz (7)

21d

Part of prison: a cell extended for engine casing (7)

22d

Practise fighting soldiers: no comfort here (6)