Prize

[caroworcester]

Mike herds eastern cattle from a long time ago (8) - I think the answer is mesozoic but I don't get the cattle bit?

[caroworcester]

zo is hybrid between a yak and domestic cattle?

[HBAnorak]

Zo doesn't do it for me. Would work if mezozoic is an acceptable spelling but I cannot find anything to suggest it is. Any other parsing suggestions?

[skooter]

Cenozoic?

[skooter]

Cenozoic?

[caroworcester]

Can you unpack that for me?

[sedge47]

Mesozoic would also work if 'so' is a recognised variant spelling of zho or zo but I can't find that listed in any dictionary.

[dannyk13]

Setter's mistake?

[Toorak]

I think it must be - there was another in this crossword

[HBAnorak]

Where was that Toorak?

[Mamyalynne]

3 down is wrong too

[Toorak]

3 down - the anagram fodder doesn’t fit the solution

[caroworcester]

Armadillo not quite an anagram?

[Toorak]

Yes - one of the ‘A’s should be an ‘L’

[HBAnorak]

Oh yes, didn't get as far as counting letters in that one, just did it from sight. Can see missing L

[Lie-in King]

I suspect the setter wanted - Mesozoic - I can't make all of that work, however there is one dictionary citing Webster 1913 that gives -

Mezozoic - 'mic(rophone)' (herds) 'e(astern) zo zo (cattle)'

http://www.freedictionary.org/?Query=mezozoic

It's also used in at least one other work (I got bored looking) -

https://tinyurl.com/yxjs4uww

Not thrilled with it though...

[Mamyalynne]

Interesting find - a stretch but as you say it would work.

[dannyk13]

The Free Dictionary is an American publication so probably Mezozoic is the American spelling of Mesozoic.

[HBAnorak]

If there's a source for two zeds in mezozoic I think that has to be the answer. Nice truffling LK

[caroworcester]

Thanks guys - too much for my pea brain!

[caroworcester]

Cattle could be zos (plural)?