Saturday Times Jumbo Cryptic 1028 Tuesday April 2Nd 2013

[ontherun]

I could do with some help in solving/explaining answers.
They are:

10d - Active -- or acting? (2,4). I have I_, __A_. I thought 'in part' but that doesn't fit.

14a - Concealed in cloud reportedly coming over (5). I have __R_U.

17a - Things going over one's head in intelligence name escaping me? (7). I thought WHATSIT. If so, why?

43a - Instrument out of tune, non-starter (4). I thought HORN; or, less likely, HARP. But which and why?

Greatful for any help.

OtR

[jollyroger66]

10) in hand

[Oldred]

43a (s)harp

[Mamyalynne]

17 Yes

Hats in Wit

[Lie-in King]

10d In play - double meaning
14a Perdu (concealed) - (in & over) "...clo UD REP ortedly..."
17a Whatsit - 'hats' (things going over one's head, in) 'wit' (intelligence)
43a (s)Harp (out of tune, non-starter)

[Oldred]

14a perdu - reversed in clue

[bibblebub]

14a) PERDU = reversed inside ...cloUD REPortedly...

[jollyroger66]

Sorry misread the letters ( A ? is better )

[ontherun]

Wow! Thanks for the quick replies everyone. And particularly to Lie-in-King for the explanations to all of them. I should have got a couple of them.

Best wishes

OtR

[fragilelink]

10D, In,Play
14A, in cloUD REPortedly! Perdu, hidden & reversed word
17A, intelligence=wit, over ones head=hats. name escaping me, oh whatsits name?
43A, Quite agree, must be harp, as sharp could be out of tune?