DT 30551 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30551 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30551 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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For me, this Saturday Prize Puzzle had a slightly different feel to ‘normal’ but perhaps that was because of the linked clues.   Big Dave’s instructions for doing the Saturday Hints were to hint the first and last clues of both the Acrosses and the Downs with a few others in between.  Our setter obviously didn’t know about this ‘rule’ as the Across clues made hint providing a little tricky.

Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.

A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.

Across

Across

4a, 16 & 1a Both frolicking with a feather duster in dramatic style (7,2,3,6)
An anagram (frolicking) of BOTH with A FEATHER DUSTER

12a         Smile after tea shows anything but delight (7)
A broad smile goes after some tea

18a         A poor actor backing Sunak as guru? (9)
A reversal (backing) of A (from the clue) and a poor actor followed by the forename of our current Prime Minister

26a         Fish devouring fantastic bat — suspect treachery? (5,1,3)
A type of fish ‘devouring’ a fantastic West Indian cricketer (bat)

28a & 17d Utterly perplexed, news noted as it breaks (2,4,4,3)
An anagram (breaks) of NEWS NOTED AS IT

 

Down

1d           Capone with gun making you frightened? (7)
How one might describe (2,5) Mr Capone the gangster ‘with a gun’

2d           Coal packed into these fires? (5)
I have included this one because it made me smile – something coal is packed into can also be a verb meaning fires

6d           Bears are in two groups turning northward (9)
ARE (from the clue) inserted into a reversal (turning northward) of two groups

14d         Less ambitious presentation to the board? (4,5)
A cryptic definition of a supplementary (less ambitious) dish put on the table (board)

15d         Unfading Queen good with soldiers in uniform (9)
The regnal cipher of our late Queen, the abbreviation for Good and some Royal Engineers (soldiers) inserted into an adjective meaning uniform

23d         Give out scores on radio? (5)
A homophone (on the radio) of a large number (scores)

24d         Champion: name for tall winger (5)
A champion and the abbreviation for Name This particular winger turned up on next door’s roof when we were fitting a new liner to the pond.  Judging by the row he made, he wasn’t impressed that we weren’t letting him loose on the fish!

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As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

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The Quick Crossword pun: FORE + EGGS  + AMPLE = FOR EXAMPLE

76 comments on “DT 30551 (Hints)”

  1. 2*/4*. Nice to get back on the highly enjoyable track after yesterday’s blip.

    My favourite had to be 26a after I had realised what the fantastic bat referred to.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS.

    2. I must be getting very crickety, I knew immediately what the fantastic bat was! Where did I pick that up? Loved it.

  2. All done by 10:30?

    Cryptic Sue is back! Very impressive.

    This was enjoyable with lots of excellent surfaces and not a word wasted. The multi-worders ran amok today, that’s for sure!

    The fantastic bat in 26a may evoke a few ‘harrumphs!’.

    My podium is 22a for its surface, 6d for its construction and 18d for its clevernes.

    Bravo!

    Many thanks to the setter and the Stakhanovite CS.

    2*/4*

  3. 9a 26a and 6d can fight it out for the top step, I loved them all. Perhaps a bit heavy on the linked clues but they worked for me. Mama Bee was on a cruise with her dance partner, she was gagging for a drink and blagged her way into a fancy house by the beach for a cuppa, it was only when Hubert recognised him that the penny dropped that they were taking tea with 26a😲
    Thanks to Sue and Setter

  4. Absolutely brilliant, loved it!
    A real puzzle within a puzzle, you can’t even start to attempt the long ones until
    you’ve got at least a few others to go on. Can’t see this being liked by the fans of all things brief on a Thursday, but I reckon it needs all sorts of different styles to keep the old grey (yep, spelt with an E) matter exercised properly.
    Favourites today are all the ones with multiple words in the answers.
    Dying to know who set this one, chapeau for daring to push the envelope today.

  5. A wonderful and witty puzzle, full of great surfaces.

    I’m with TDS65 on podium contenders, but there’s nary a filler among the clues. I was particularly happy to see a fantastic bat gobbled by a fish, Mr Sunak as guru, and Prince and Cinders reunited in a restaurant. The anagrams were nice too, for the long one and also 28 17.

    Bravo Myster On.

  6. An OTT number of anagrams dominated an average puzzle that was over almost before it started, and the several split clues, while clever (one is my COTD) just confused the grid. Some brilliant and witty surfaces but a few were bizarre (26a) or awkward (25a). Podium top step to 8d/19d for the combined surface of clue & answer.

    1* / 2.5*

    Thank you to the setter and to CS

  7. The fantastic bat (a century in his first 7 innings for my team, The Bears, in their treble winning annus mirabilis) was my favourite too. All very straightforward & very nicely clued throughout. Unfortunately my enjoyment of the guzzle was compromised by the usual irritation with the inadequate/unhelpful enumeration for the linked clues in the DT digital edition. 4,16&1across for example are rightly shown at 4 across as 7,2,3,6 on both the old & new puzzles sites (& of course by Sue in her hint). Not so in the digital edition where it simply says 7 & if your eyes scan the grid for 16&1a it’s no guarantee that you’ll realise (I didn’t immediately) that 16a is 2,3 & not a 5 letter word as the 16a clue isn’t visible without scrolling down on a tablet. With 2 further multi word linked clues I’ll admit to uttering an audible expletive in frustration. I’ve banged on about this before & quite why CL can’t sort it out (like the omission of the Sun Toughie from the digital edition for who knows what reason) is beyond me. Moan over.
    Thanks to the setter & to Sue.

    1. I made the mistake of marking my grid for 16a as 3,2, caused me to DNF. Shot myself in the foot again.

  8. When I started this puzzle I thought I would be posting a grumble at the number of linked clues on offer as I am not usually a fan, but as I worked through I found them to be crackers and thoroughly enjoyed this sortie into crossword land.
    As well as the linked clues I also picked out 9A, 18a, and 24d for praise. So basically I found lots to like…
    Great to see CS back in harness, I hope you are fully recovered Sue, and thanks to the setter (who?)

  10. Tough as always on a Saturday but with a mixture of clever clues and some very poor ones. In the 1st category I would put 9a on top followed by 26a (always love a cricket clue) and 1a plus especially 14d in latter poor group. Two many disjointed clues for my taste.
    Not the best Saturday but not the worst by any means. On the whole a bit turgid.
    ****/**
    Thx for the hints

  11. Ah Phanciful has reminded me to greet CS, hope you’re okay now. Thanks for your hints as usual. I’ve picked up what seems to be a cold, but you never know these days. I’ll dust off the testing kit.

    And the bears: I forgot to mention the 6D bears :D

    1. I’ve been OK for some days now, thank you. I think people thought I was poorlier than I was because I wasn’t commenting. Actually I don’t comment much during the week for a number of reasons.

  12. The linked clues added to the challenge of this SPP and it was most enjoyable and rewarding , unlike yesterday’s, upon which I made no comment due to lack of time, as I had been hospital visiting. The 4a, 16a, 1d combination was outstanding as anagrams go. The 18d lurker and the geographical lego clue at 9d were runners up. Thanks to CS for the hints and to the compiler

  13. This didn’t feel like the work of one of our regular setters but 26a seemed to make it more likely that ‘it’ is a ‘he’!
    Top three here were 9&17a plus 2d with a nod to the 8/19 combo.

    Thanks to our setter and to CS for the hints – I did wonder how you would fit BD’s rules around this one!

    1. I am sure the great cricket fan, your namesake Jetdoc, would love to have set such a nice clue

      1. Now I thought the bat was not crickety but for some reason I thought (redacted). Does that work as well ? Golly, hope that is not meriting naughty step now that CS is back.

        1. Oh dear. I do apologise Sue, but it looks as though I was on the right track. Is there any cake?

  14. Like RD I selected 26a immediately as my favourite clue. The grid certainly had a fresh and different feel about it, and I also enjoyed the long linked anagram at 4a etc. A most entertaining way to spend part of a damp and drizzly Shropshire morning.

    Thanks to whomsoever is responsible for this little gem, and to Sue.

  15. Somewhat different for a SPP with the ‘linked’ clues providing pauses for thought – ***/****

    I wonder when we will start getting or if we will ever get ‘cross referencing’ in a SPP.

    Candidates for favourite – 12a, 17a, 15d, and 24d – and the winner is 24d.

    Thanks to whomsoever and CS.

    1. I’ve googled 24d and I cannot find anything referring to champion. I feel it must be staring at me but I just can’t see it.

      1. Merusa, try splitting 24d into 4 +1 I hope that doesn’t risk the naughty step as no lemon drizzle available today!

  16. I thought this was a great puzzle . Too many great clues to pick a single favourite.

    Thanks to the setter and to crypticsue. (Glad you feel better.)

  17. Absolutely up my street, fun factor increased by solving many without looking at the grid – though not, it has to be said, any of the linked clues. 4, 16 and 1 were new to me, finally solved the anagram but had to check in the dictionary.

    Many thanks to CS (glad you have recovered) and to the setter.

    1. Welcome to the blog

      the word ‘included’ relates to where the solution is hidden

  19. When I first looked at this I had a sinking feeling because of the linked clues, but it all fell into place quite smoothly and I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished in ** time with nary a hiitch (well, to be honest, I initially used the US spelling in 4a , but then I have lived here for over 40 years so that’s my excuse). Anyway, that was sorted out quickly and I will award **** for enjoyment. Thanks to the setter, and to CS for the mercifully unneeded clues which I will now read.

  20. A great puzzle with just the top linked clue new to me.
    Like a lot of the commentators I liked 26a and 2d and 14d also made me smile.
    Thanks to the setter and CS.

  21. Unlike many fellow bloggers I found this altogether too convoluted and didn’t much enjoy the unscrambling and in fact surprised myself by making the grade. 25a unknown to me. 18a nearest thing to a Fav. Thank you nameless one and CS.

    1. I wouldn’t say worldwide fame, so I’m a bit surprised to see it in the SPP. I dare not say more.

  22. I don’t know 25a either but when in doubt……
    I thought this was excellent, witty and clever. I struggled a bit yesterday but I was in town all day and only finished it in bed late last night. Today there are too many good ‘uns to risk incurring Kath’s wrath so I shall just say thank you and well done to Mr Setter and nice to see Matron back on patrol!

  23. Not taxing but irritated
    By constantly locating
    The multi-clue clues in
    The grid.
    Favourite 26a.
    Great surfaces.
    Thanks setter and CS

  24. Started at the bottom right, just because it was the first clue I looked at. Continued apace until the top half. Had to get most of the answers to solve 1a. Very enjoyable and a bonus for me, not too taxing. My favourite because it made me smile was 1d. Had to look twice at 26a, I couldn’t spot the fish or the batter. It dawned on me when I started reading the hints. Thanks CS and setter
    **/*****

  25. What a cracking SPP. Too many good clues to pick a podium, but I’ll go for the 3d wine as cotd, probably because I’m partial to a beaker or two of it. Thanks to compiler and CS.

  26. Like last week, a great Saturday puzzle that was a fun and enjoyable solve. Lots to like, many smiles and several fun multi word clues/answers.

    1.5*/5* for me today

    Favourites include 11a, 12a, 18a, 2d, 8d/19d & 24d — with winner 8d/19d … but all were really good
    Smiles for 11a, 12a, 17a, 2d, 4d & 8d/19d

    Thanks to setter & CS for blog/hints

  28. We didn’t like the jumbled nature of the linked clues but thought the rest ok. Favourite was 18a. Thanks to the setter and CS.

    1. Well that was a really enjoyable solve that had a healthy dose of challenge – a bit of head scratching but I completed without needing any help. That said I couldn’t for the life of me parse 26a as I hadn’t heard of the fish and I didn’t ‘get’ the bat- I really need to watch more cricket 😳 , but thanks to CS’s hint and pic and with the help of Google lens,I got there in the end. Also just looked at the hint to parse 14d my last one in. Thanks to setter and CS.

  29. I didn’t really get to grips with this one, too much time combobulating the linked clues. But thank you to the compiler for something out of the norm. And thanks to sue for the hints,

    1. You’ve changed your alias so this needed moderation. Both your aliases will work from now on.

    2. Thanks for a very enjoyable crossy, NYDK.

      Cinders was inspired! 👏👏

  31. Not keen on linked clues but this was relatively straightforward especially compared to yesterday’s Toughie.

  32. I’m not a fan of linked clues, but today it was so cleverly done, I loved it. So many smilers, 11a, 26a, 2d, 18d, and so many more. I was DNF with the 4a series; I got the 4a, but I mixed up the letter order which confused me, but our Sue’s hint helped me to finish.
    Thanks NYDK, that was loads of fun, and to CS for helping me along. So glad you’re feeling better.

  33. Merusa, try splitting 24d into 4 +1 I hope that doesn’t risk the naughty step as no lemon drizzle available today!

  34. Not my favourite but all solved after a show start. I normally get the multi word ones straightaway but not this time. I did not know the dramatic style but had to be what it is one I had all the checkers and played with the rest. Favourites 11 12 21 and 22a. I’m taking my husband to see Alfie Moore the comic Policeman from Scunthorpe and Radio4 tonight. Thanks NYDK and CS.

  35. Blimey! Good grief! Never seen anything like it in my life, even in my crosswording life!!
    I know we’re not meant to say how long it took but I think I’d probably get away with it – most of the day would do!!
    When I first looked I went a bit cross-eyed and I still am!
    My brain is scrambled but I have to say I really enjoyed it.
    I can’t think of a better way of spending a cold day – it’s 3C in Oxford!
    I could go on but I won’t for fear of boring you all.
    Thank you NYDK and to CS for the bits that I didn’t quite ‘get’ on my ‘own-self’ (quote from the Younger Lamb)

  36. When I was a novice (more years ago than is healthy), I always went for the multiple word clues first.
    Strangely, today they went in last!
    Enjoyable puzzle though

    1. Your comment went into moderation because you used a different alias. All four aliases (used so far :wink: )should work from now on.

  37. This is my third attempt at commenting this afternoon as having IT problems. Managed to duplicate a message to Merusa whilst trying to post my general comment and then the latter disappeared into the ether. Anyway, on to today’s puzzle which I enjoyed very much. It no doubt helped greatly that I got the longer linked clues quickly which acted as a good base from which to work. Lots of good clues though I dithered slightly over 25a. Kept thinking of potatoes? Don’t know why but then the pennies dropped! Many thanks to NYDK and CS. Good to hear that you are a lot better Sue. Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone.

  38. Really liked this one despite not knowing the cricketer….as others have said, witty and with a different feel, to me somehow younger and more modern….

  39. My excuse for not immediately spotting the cricketer on 26a is that since coming to France I’ve stopped being a real follower of cricket (despite my father being a 1st class bat) and focused on the 17a sport. Also having been born there, did like 18a!
    Also liked the 4a combo and 9a.
    OK, going for 8d as clue du jour.
    Many thanks to setter welcome back and thanks to CS.

  40. I was fairly sure it was the same setter as for recent Saturdays as I smiled as much this time as on the others, not least on the 3 dimensional (if that makes sense) 8/19 down.

  41. Late today as had to see foot doctor this morning. After enduring a cortisone short in big toe shot, the crossword could not give me any real pain today… I plodded steadily through (even with Arthur Itis now set up home in my big toe 🙁) and made it to the finish line. A world apart from yesterday. Thanks to setter and glad to see CS back at the helm.

  42. Thoroughly enjoyed this challenge today.

    I couldn’t parse 26a for the life of me but, considering my lack of knowledge of the subject of the bat, no surprises there. Good clue nonetheless.

    Penultimate one in was 6d for some reason. Once I had this I was able to work out 4,16,1a. Never heard the term so chuffed to work it out.

    Thanks to all for the best Saturday solve in ages!

  43. I have been out all day and have only just completed this fantastic puzzle. Rather unusually I could not do the multi word clues initially and had to get some checkers first then it all fell into place. I liked too many to have a favourite,for me 20a was last to fall.

    Many thanks to NYDk and to CS for the hints.

  44. 2/4. Very enjoyable SSP. My favourite was 18a narrowly beating 26a for the gold medal. Thanks to all.

  45. Multi-clue clues made me dizzy but I got there after a few checkers. Didn’t need the hints this time but thanks to CS anyway.

  46. After struggling with this yesterday I had another go at it this morning. Started slowly but as a few went in the pace quickened and managed an unaided finish. Completely missed the crickety reference in 26 the phrase just came to me as I read the clue, although I have heard of both the fish and the cricketer. I’d pick the 8/19 combination as favourite as I’ve heard people say it whilst looking in my direction, I wonder why?🤪. Thanks to all.

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