Albert's Horse by Smithers

Asterisked clues lead to some challenging solutions

Grid A
Across
1 *Stone deaf, so memorised the nags (5,2,8)
9 Miss Moore starring in Colossal Outbreak (8)
10 See 23
11 Figure requiring 23 10? It's gone wrong for The Sweeney (4-6)
13 See 3 Down
15 *Church on-line? Anne's at sea on Golden ship with deer (8,4)
19 By which we remember Somme and rail: "Raw wound!" (3,9)
22 See 28 Down
23/10 *She's thick-skinned and needs style, perhaps: soldier's on way, with the French Queen's waistband (10,6)
26 See 18 Down
27 *Watchdog in certain old trains going to City (return) (8)
29 See 2 Down
Down
2/29 *What follows Adam's soft man? Fancy! He's deep sir, the fruit! (6,2,3,10)
3/13 Salad leaf I have to finish? Quite the reverse (6)
4 Pizzazz when there's no belt in car? (5)
5 Sprite's racket, according to Spooner, is knocked over in the alley (7)
6 It might be rephrased as "Good Heavens" initially (2,3)
7 How Steptoe listens? (4)
8 7-0 thrashing spices things up (8)
12 A bunch of flowers from speedster's taunt (6)
14 Arrogant, revolutionary pig lives here (6)
17/16 A fresco hung as a warning (6)
18/26 *Lion (with edges of fang) imprisoned in pussy's home - it's working stock (6,2,6)
20 Salesman, given the sack possibly, organises the suitcase again (7)
21 How to inspire poet's puzzle (6)
23 Feeling it makes it difficult to stay erect (5)
24 One embroiled in Euro fiasco: it's shabby according to Kennedy (5)
25 As is our theme: a young lady for the dolicholingual! (4)
28/22 Preacher has too much in TV House (6)

Grid B
Across
1 *Gold bangles - a set's been forged: plenty of muck-raking to be done here? (6,7)
9 Perhaps Flash Gordon's one-track mind's starting to wander (6,3)
10 Above 5 in the nude - get her out! (4)
12 Shy maiden with comic-book squeal (4)
13 Slip hand inside Madonna indeed! (5)
14 A warning from East and West? (4)
17 Styles said to be black, amidst Niobe's distress (6)
19 Incubus hit freshwater fish, according to Spooner (3,5)
21 Badgers and barker (5,3)
22 Pull bird and companion (6)
24 A shy cockney from Upper Bush? (4)
25 Lit up prior to Christmas (5)
26 See 23 Down
30 Opposed to 2's partner in conversation (4)
31 Charade to unpick: they have one less face than... (9)
32 *..."Jock's refusal to participate in renal treatment" (Hardy novel The Swamp Dweller) (8,5)
Down
2 When satisfied, Bob is in tree (5)
3 32 had 18 spots (4)
4/28 *Geordie writer, 51, held captive in unnamed surroundings by cat (6,4)
5 10 or South American 10 on blower (5,3)
6 See 8
7 Mrs Sprat's dietary guidance: No ale - 'n' tea's off! (3,2,4)
8/6 *Queen to unknown man: "Lost a Thai-born pig?" (11,4)
11/15 *Flappers' mess representative: Prince and Mr Dury want custard powder? (11,5)
16 Trouble with sailors on deck (5)
18 Gran's hair is more risque in Kent (4,5)
20 Firm Smithers repeats "Be reasonable" (4,4)
23/26 *Beast from Barnet dismembered in selective slaughter (6,4)
27 Shake mum off with Daisy's bag... (5)
28 See 4
29 ...whose watery product's in address of road (4)

To enter the competition, send the answers to all the asterisked clues plus a cryptic clue to the 20 letter phrase (4 words) suggested by the asterisked clues to me at derek@crossword.org.uk The writer of the best clue will win a copy of Chambers Concise Crossword Dictionary which has been donated by Chambers/Harrap. Closing date 31 August 2001
Please feel free to send your comments to the author at elsdon@tansley.fsbusiness.co.uk