Spectator 2124

[djawhufc]

Hi all

It should be with you.

All the best

DJA

[barryjbutler]

Morning Daniel. Cheers as usual.

[maurice]

Thanx as usual, Daniel.
A wily one this morning!

[whatsthat]

Thanks Daniel.
Just one left, 35a: Lasso necessary to secure a target: R?AT?
I have two definition words which fit, can anyone help me with the wordplay?

[bibblebub]

REATA = inside ...secuRE A TArget...

[Neveracrossword]

.The answer is hidden in the clue.

[shoota]

Is it not in the clue?

[whatsthat]

Thanks bibblebub, Neveracrossword and shoota.
I didn't see the wood for the trees, it must be the 35 degrees heat in this part of the world.

[novalis]

Given the various possibilities I am struggling with the two unclued answers at 33 and 40 across. I am also unsure about which alternative is wanted for 1 across. Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

[Neveracrossword]

There's only one possible answer for 1 Across - and I think the same goes for 33 and 40. The important/helpful thing is the bit in the preamble - 'the remaining unclued light supplies the material with which, in normal clue order, the 18 are 13'. Hope this helps - if not, let me know.

[mrcroft]

Well I have the Y in BOAR, the R in SEAL but no idea why, I also have TAMP and TAXIDERMY but what to put in HORSE and DEER again no idea, clearly the penny hasn't dropped - any hints ?

[Neveracrossword]

The first unclued is de?er. The second unclued is ho?rse. The word that helps ( to 13 the 18) is the long one mentioned in your post. Going in clue order, de?er becomes deter, ho?rse becomes hoarse - following a pattern. The 'r' in 'seal' and the 'y' in 'boyar' came from somewhere - the long word.
PS. Tamp isn't correct.

[teenieleek]

Thanks as always Daniel. Took a bit longer than usual this one. Sneaky of Columba to vary the amount of stuffing required.

[novalis]

Many thanks for your help Neveracrossword. It was the varied amount of stuffing which threw me.

[Neveracrossword]

Novalis, you're very welcome.

[bakajiji]

Thanks again, Daniel!