Daily Mail Prize Crossword Wednesday January 19th 2011

[MiloL]

12 across Batsman's beginning to finish plan (4)

[cupid04]

undo

[octogenarian]

was given yesterday as Aide

[cupid04]

i got the u from 1d which is chorus:- Endless routine work nearly all sung.

[cupid04]

perhaps it should be choral, I do apologise Octogenarian.

[Valanne]

Should be choral (nearly al(l) after chor(e))

[ladyalex]

I think 1d might be CHORAL

chor(e) endless work +L

[cupid04]

Thankyou valanne.

[Valanne]

As I said the other day the clue is written badly. The answer should be idea, not aide.

[MiloL]

Thanks both but I still cant see the reasoning. I've got choral for 1 down. I'm sorry if the answer was given yesterday but when I typed in the clue there we no answers given. Can you explain octogenarian please?

[ladyalex]

Sorry, meant chor + AL

Still don't see why it should be AIDE for 12a...cannot think of an alternative, though.

[cupid04]

can someone please explain the answer to 12a?

[octogenarian]

1d Choral-----------chor(E)+al ( nearly all)

[Valanne]

A batman in the army was an aide, beginning to finish - a to the end of the word, gives idea. ( I think the clue actually said batman, not batSman)

[cupid04]

It did, what a clecer litle bear you are!!

[cupid04]

Unlike me and my typos!

[Valanne]

Thanks cupid.

[ladyalex]

So is the answer Idea, then, not aide ?

[Valanne]

Unfortunately, because of the a in choral they seem to want aide which, to my mind anyway, makes the clue wrong.

[ladyalex]

Totally agree with you , Valanne.
Thanks for explanations.

[cupid04]

No aide I think as valanne explains above, ladyalex.