Spectator N0 2498

[Matakari]

Hello, I'm stuck on the following and would like
some help/hints, thanks in advance!

ACROSS:
6 Sister screwed up extra
chances at school (6) : ?ES?T?

27 Mark Ramprakash
keeps farm animal
going to and fro (3) : A?? ( ARK ) ?

8 Chief contributor to
magazine (3) : A??

DOWN:

1 Former leader’s vehicle
negotiating chicane (4) : CA??

40 Flower from Cockney’s
home? (4) : O??E

[Toorak]

6 anagram of sister

[Spicerack]

6. resits

[Neveracrossword]

1 D Your A is wrong
40 The flower is something that flows, something very common in crosswords
8 Hidden in the clue.

[Spicerack]

27. starts with R, imo.

[Neveracrossword]

27 Hidden in the clue

[kettledrum]

8a aga

[bobbinwales]

40 river that rhymes with booze not house

[Matakari]

Many thanks, all!

[Neveracrossword]

Glad we could help, Matakari. This week's theme is very straightforward, bordering on easy-peasy!

[novalis]

Some funny 'borders' though Neveracrossword.

[Matakari]

A very interesting play on countries indeed from Doc!
I'm done, but seek a verification for one clue which I
cannot parse. Thanks in advance!

38 (D) Brother’s nose, ten
times bigger at the front
(4) : ?ONK ( KONK or CONK? )

[Neveracrossword]

Monk, brother. Conk, nose, with the C changed to M, 10 times bigger (I'm sure you know some Roam numerals)

[Neveracrossword]

Novalis, sorry - I overlooked you! Some of the borders were ... interesting, perhaps, I was just keen to encourage Matakari!

[LancastrianOik]

1D- a vehicle around a letter which resembles a racetrack chicane gets you a term for a ruler akin to a king.

As for the theme. It was staring me in the face and I just couldn't see it until it was pointed out to me... doh.

[Matakari]

Thanks for your help, all!

[Neveracrossword]

Glad we could help. One day we could be thanking you, Matakari - I'm an optimist!

[Matakari]

And don't take it lightly, NACW, wonders never cease!
Cheers!