Solving time 15:10
This was about average difficulty for a Saturday, but really fun to solve. Clue of the Day has to go to 5dn, as an alternative answer jumps out at you and you think “No, surely they wouldn’t put that in?!”
Across
| 1 | C(A,PARIS)ON – classic “lift and separate” clue. Paris is our Trojan, horse’s cover is the definition. |
| 6 | DE(B)AR – black as in blackball, to ban or ostracize. |
| 9 | MOT,IF |
| 10 | IN,SP(I)RING |
| 11 | DIPTERA (I parted)* – with an aptly saucy surface reading! |
| 17 | T(ERRORS,TRICK)EN – I’m a bit dubious about TEN on its own being adequately clued by “PM’s home”. |
| 21 | M.A.,STIFF |
| 23 | O(utstanding),B(owled),SCENE |
| 25 | ON,RU(SHIN)G – ON=touching, RUG is slang for a wig. |
| 26 | AHEAD – each = “a head”, so joined it becomes AHEAD. Nice clue. |
| 28 | HOT,HE,ADED(dead*) |
Down
| 1 | CO(ME(a)DOW)N |
| 3 | RE(FR)ES,HER – REES is the Welshman. |
| 4 | SPI(NAC)H – CAN in HIPS, all reversed. |
| 5 | NOSE(one’s*),JOB – OK admit it. Who saw “One’s dealt” and thought “HAND”? I know I did. |
| 7 | BAILI(alibi*),WICK |
| 14 | TREASURER (rearrest,U)* |
| 15 | REINS,TATE – nice clue. I like “hangings here” for TATE. |
| 16 | INTENDED – double definition |
| 24 | (y)EMEN,D(emocratic) |
Anyway, definitely my COW. so far.
A total of ten “easies” in this amusing offering:
12a One donning garment appears more nervous (7)
JUMP 1 ER
13a Smile, and appear a twitcher? (5,3,6)
WATCH THE BIRDIE
27a Audibly gather in crowd (5)
HORDE
2d Offer one’s home to build (3,2)
PUT UP. Nothing in the clue about it being a palindrome. Setter maybe from Notlob.
6d Belief in CrusaDE IS Madness (5)
DEISM
8d Judge given respect (6)
REGARD
18d Those in the sky and sea, dashing (7)
RAF FISH. Collins online has “unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive way”. Hence everyone’s (except perhaps the Colonel’s) snigger about the ???? JOB.
19d Deliberation, but still on time (7)
THOUGH T
20d Son has to hang round for kiss (6)
S MOOCH
22d Kids getting put out (5)
ISSUE