DT 31307 (Full Review)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31307

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 1^st August 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. An excellent Saturday puzzle from Chris Lancaster that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback.

Tortoiseshell, the answer to the superb clue at 12 Across, was a term I had not previously known in reference to a cat. Naturally, I became curious to learn more about it. After solving the crossword, I searched the internet and discovered a great deal of information about tortoiseshell cats. A tortoiseshell is a domestic cat distinguished by its striking coat, which displays an irregular mixture of black, orange and various shades of brown or cream, creating a mottled pattern that resembles the appearance of traditional tortoiseshell. No two tortoiseshell cats have exactly the same markings, making each one unique. The colouring is caused by genetics and is almost always found in female cats because the genes responsible for the black and orange pigments are carried on the X chromosome. Male tortoiseshells are extremely rare and usually have an unusual genetic condition involving an extra X chromosome. Tortoiseshell cats are not a separate breed; rather, the distinctive colouring can occur in many different breeds as well as in mixed-breed domestic cats. Some tortoiseshells have patches that are clearly defined, while others display a finely interwoven blend of colours. When white fur is also present, the cat is often referred to as a tortoiseshell-and-white or, in some countries, a calico, although the two patterns are sometimes distinguished by the amount and arrangement of the white markings. Many owners affectionately claim that tortoiseshell cats possess a lively, independent and spirited personality, a notion popularly known as ‘tortitude’. Although these character traits are widely discussed, there is little scientific evidence to suggest that coat colour determines temperament, and each cat has its own individual nature shaped by genetics, upbringing and environment. Tortoiseshell cats are admired for their unusual beauty and have long been associated with good fortune in various cultures. Their colourful coats, combined with their individuality and charm, make them popular companions in homes around the world. Whether playful, affectionate or reserved, each tortoiseshell cat has a distinctive appearance and personality that endears it to those who care for it.

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Across

1a           Right to sell wood going to queen’s joint (10)
DEALERSHIP: The definition of the right or authorisation to sell a commodity is reached from DEAL (wood) as fir or pine wood as a building material followed by (going to) ER’S (queen’s) as of or belonging to ER i.e. the abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina, the name taken on by Queen Elizabeth upon ascending the throne, the word ‘regina’ being the Latin name for ‘queen’ and HIP (joint) as referring to the hip joint i.e. the ball-and-socket joint formed by the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the hip-bone

6a           Legged it, following light (4)
FLED: The definition of a verb in the past tense meaning ran away or escaped, an example of which is legged it i.e. ran fast, usually to escape from danger, trouble or the police is reached from a charade of F (following) as the abbreviation for following and LED (light) as the abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode i.e. a diode which emits light

9a           Someone working on a commission? (5)
CADET: A cryptic definition of someone undergoing training, especially military training, with the aim of receiving a commission as an officer

10a         Gangster has a flutter and cheats (9)
HOODWINKS: A charade of HOOD (gangster) as a slang term for a hoodlum i.e. a small-time criminal or gangster and WINKS (has a flutter) as a verb in the present tense third person singular form denoting has a flutter i.e. bats one’s eyelids or opens and closes one’s eye rapidly in a coy, flirtatious manner that takes to the definition of another verb in the present tense third person singular form meaning deceives or cheats

12a         Cat so upset with little horse (13)
TORTOISESHELL: The definition of a breed of a domestic cat having a coat with irregular patches of different colours, usually black and reddish-orange is obtained from an anagram (upset) of a combo of SO and (with) LITTLE HORSE

14a         Rolls, perhaps, and sweet food tucked into by a marine, right? (8)
CARMAKER: The definition of a business or company engaged in the manufacture of automobiles, an example of which is Rolls, referring to Rolls-Royce, a British luxury car brand of a carmaker is reached from CAKE (sweet food) as a sweet baked food made of flour, liquid, eggs and other ingredients, such as raising agents and flavourings taking inside (tucked into by) a combo of A from the clue and RM (marine) as the abbreviation for Royal Marines and written after someone’s name to show that they are an officer of the Royal Marines and followed by R (right) as the abbreviation for right

15a         Gap in a hut is repaired (6)
HIATUS: The definition of a gap of interruption in space, time or continuity is reached from an anagram (repaired) of A HUT IS

17a         Expose edges of double bed (6)
DEBUNK: The definition of a verb meaning to expose the falseness or hollowness of an idea or belief is reached from the outermost letters (edges) of D[OUBL]E followed by BUNK (bed) as a narrow shell-like bed, typically one of two or more arranged one on top of the other

19a         Funny reaction – butcher loses head (8)
LAUGHTER: The definition of the action or sound of laughing as the reaction produced by something funny is obtained from [S]LAUGHTER (butcher) as to butcher or kill animals especially for food devoid of its head or initial letter (loses head)

21a         Various molecules, as in liquid (13)
MISCELLANEOUS: The definition of an adjective meaning various, diverse or mixed is reached from an anagram (liquid) of MOLECULES, AS IN

24a         Place to eat where there’s no waiting? (9)
CAFETERIA: A cryptic definition of a place to eat where one typically serves oneself rather than waiting for staff table service

25a         Flying object’s tedious sound (5)
DRONE: Double nounal definition; the second denoting a tedious sound or monotonous hum that guides to the first referring to a flying object, such as an unmanned aircraft

26a         Sing merrily till drunk (4)
LILT: The definition of a verb meaning to sing merrily or in a light or rhythmic manner is reached from an anagram (drunk) of TILL

27a         Piece smashed by king’s uncle (10)
PAWNBROKER: A combination of PAWN (piece) as a chess piece of the smallest size and value that moves one square forwards along its file if unobstructed or one square diagonally forwards when making a capture and BROKE (smashed) as a verb in the past tense meaning smashed or caused to separate into piece suddenly and violently followed by (by) R (king) as the abbreviation for rex, the Latin word for king guides to the definition of a person who lends money at interest in exchange for personal property that is deposited as security, an example of which is uncle i.e. a slang term for a pawnbroker

Down

1d           Avoid Bob (4)
DUCK: Double verbal definition; the second denoting to bob or to stoop and bend suddenly that leads to the first meaning to avoid or evade a blow, unpleasant task etc

2d           One checks height under motor (7)
AUDITOR: The definition of a person who checks or examines accounts is reached from TOR (height) as a rocky height placed below in the down clue (under) AUDI (motor) as a type of luxury car made in Germany

3d           Teen entrant I’m playing for fun (13)
ENTERTAINMENT: An anagram (playing) of TEEN ENTRANT I’M leads to the definition of a noun denoting fun, amusement or enjoyment

4d           Glass ship (8)
SCHOONER: Double nounal definition; the second denoting to a fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel having at least two masts, with a foremast that is usually smaller than the other masts that takes to the first referring to a large beer glass, generally holding a pint or more

   

5d           One prisoner finishing off bonkers religious images (5)
ICONS: I (one) as the Roman numeral for one followed by CON (prisoner) as a slang short for convict or a person serving a sentence in a prison and the finishing or terminal letter (finishing off) of [BONKER]S takes to the definition of religious images as in Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc

7d           Tolerant of knight that is breaking fast (7)
LENIENT: The definition of an adjective meaning agreeably tolerant or not strict or severe is reached from a combo of N (knight) as the abbreviation for a knight in chess notation and IE (that is) as the abbreviated form of the Latin phrase ‘id est’ meaning ‘that is’ splitting by going inside (breaking) LENT (fast) as a period of fasting and penitence observed by many Christians leading up to Easter or, figuratively any period of fasting

8d           50 entering party certain to gain admission (10)
DISCLOSURE: L (50) as the Roman numeral for fifty getting inside (entering) DISCO (party) as a party at which people dance to recorded pop music followed by SURE (certain) as certain or impossible to doubt or dispute leads to the definition of a noun meaning admission, confession or acknowledgement

11d         Cleaner in part of building having a quiet dust (7,6)
WASHING POWDER: The definition of a detergent in the form of a powder for washing clothes, bed linen etc, an example of which is cleaner i.e. a device or chemical agent that removes dirt from clothes or carpets is arrived at from WING (part of building) taking inside (having) a combo of A from the clue and SH (quiet) as an interjection used to tell someone to be quiet and followed by POWDER (dust) as dust or fine dry, particles produced by the grinding, crushing or disintegration of a solid substance

13d         Scholarly accountant claimed fake (10)
ACADEMICAL: The definition of an adjective meaning scholarly or learned but lacking in worldliness is reached from ACA (accountant) as the abbreviation for Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants or a qualified associate member of the Institute followed by an anagram (fake) of CLAIMED

16d         Look after chief, popular with old volunteers (8)
MAINTAIN: The definition of a verb meaning to look after, care for or take care of something is reached from a combo of MAIN (chief) as an adjective denoting chief, principal or most important and IN (popular) as an informal term for popular, fashionable or trendy having or containing (with) TA (old volunteers) as the abbreviation for Territorial Army i.e. a part-time volunteer reserve force that supports the regular army

18d         One shy of seven? (7)
BASHFUL: A cryptic definition referring to the name of one of the seven dwarfs from Disney’s ‘Snow White’ who is known for being exceptionally shy

20d         Grass maybe Scouts lost on top of Kilimanjaro (7)
TUSSOCK: The definition of a tuft or clump of growing grass or the like that is thicker or longer than the grass growing around it is reached from an anagram (lost) of SCOUTS placed above (on) the topmost or initial letter (top) of K[ILIMANJARO] in the down clue

22d         Grub, some popular variety (5)
LARVA: The definition of a larva of an insect, particularly a beetle is part of or hidden inside (some) [POPU]LAR VA[RIETY]

23d         Look – escapee ripped trousers! (4)
PEER: The definition of a verb meaning to look intently, searchingly or with difficulty is part of or hidden inside (trousers) [ESCA]PEE R[IPPED]

There were several clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 1a, 10a, 12a, 14a, 17a, 27a, 1d, 4d, 11d, 18d and 20d; 18d being the best of the lot. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Chris Lancaster for the entertainment. Looking forward to seeing you here again. Have a nice day.