Guardian Prize 24379

[Mampara]

I have worked out that the theme is the eight coloured balls used in the snooker at the crossword title 'Crucible'.

Can anyone help with the two unclued ones 7 & 20 down?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[kayakamina]

7d Jimmy White

20d Steve Davis

White is also part of the theme.

[Chree]

nearly finished this one now....

can some one explain why derriere - the cryptic part of the clue?

also, are the two in the midle the same?

anyone think the setter is araucaria?

finally, don't get the red tape cryptic bit or durado - dur is mock but ado, scarlet backed?

Thanks,
Chris

[emmemm]

Chris
If you reverse the order of 'red tape' you get 'tapered'
I thought the 'mock' clue was 'deride' so ide = fish and red = scarlet backwards ... but have not got other clues in that area to cross reference yet.
By the way, why don't contributors use the "crosswords" category when posting queries about crosswords?
Cheers ...

[ramilahs]

There is a famous tune known as the
Londonderry Air. The Irish song Oh Danny Boy and also a hymn are set to this tune.

Yes the two three letter words in the middle are the same but I cannot see in any dictionary it being the same as null. You will also note that the same three letters are clustered six time in the centre.

[mickvic]

It looks lilke araucaria for the world snooker championships with many reds (back and forward) scattered around the colours. Mick Vic

[slithytove]

So why isn't there a yellow ?

[Yulandi]

Well - you DO have "yellow fever" at 31a.
There's only one I can't do i.e. 6d. E-I-L-S.(Food writer's in bed ,head-to-toe with short man) . Les -the short man ? Help, please

[Yulandi]

Me again! No help required - I see that "edibles" is the answer.
What's the chances of a theme puzzle soon by "Moscow" or,more humourously, Boris ?