CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 17,061, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be date-stamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, excl NI. Terms apply, see Page 54.

ACROSS

1 Rome VIP after treatment

gets better (7)

5 A trophy put in case of champagne for

U.S. writer (6)

9 Stink behind site producing medicine of psychological benefit (7)

10 Do better than another

in a school? (7)

11 Support for drivers

on a course? (3)

12 An urgency desperately shown by southeast health worker (6,5)

13 First person in part of lounge

in European capital (5)

14 Commercial inducements

refs get if corrupt (4,5)

16 Work to restrain impolite conservationists in a wise fashion (9)

17 A flat in dilapidated state having deadly consequences? (5)

19 A wise ruler relaxed about European in informal clothing (11)

22 Some web businesses

in decline (3)

23 In middle of boot, Cordelia’s

sister has aromatic plant (7) 24 Second label put on

German in shock (7)

26 Declare right to enter

part of an estate? (6)

27 Title containing this is withheld over year? That’s conceivable (7)

DOWN

1 Drive shown by politician

in fancy suite (7)

2 Sort out special bonuses to include fine work venue (5,2,8)

3 Be under an obligation to follow expert in part (3)

4 Call up first woman to

acquire approval (5)

5 Irritable note on

ending of play (9)

6 Climbing accessory? Clamp it once without trappings (5)

7 Foster net growth after working for a very solid figure (5,2,8)

8 Look encapsulated by a

southern French city (6) 12 Stop striker entering

section of hospital (5)

14 Grand prix racing over time touted differently and supplied as necessary (6,3)

15 One running errands

e.g. for criminal (5)

16 One in place with

humble cushion (6)

18 Tribe improperly detained in large yard gets freedom (7)

20 Decline in posh

English custom (5)

21 Follow dean as

ruled at intervals (5)

25 Duo ignoring pressure

to make broadcast (3)