Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3390
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 11th October 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. Dada has given us an enjoyable solve this Sunday and now I present to you a full review of his puzzle. Hope to have your valuable feedback and comments.
This time, after solving the puzzle, I revisited the internet to refresh my knowledge of botany and zoology and learnt more about aspidistra, Labrador and snapdragon, the answers to the clues at 12 Across, 17 Across and 21 Across, respectively.
The aspidistra, commonly known as the cast-iron plant, is a hardy evergreen plant native to East Asia, particularly China and Japan. It is widely grown as a houseplant because it can survive conditions that many other plants find difficult. Its broad, dark green leaves grow directly from the base of the plant on long stalks, giving it an attractive, leafy appearance. Some varieties have leaves with cream-coloured stripes or spots. The aspidistra thrives in shade and tolerates low light, irregular watering and a range of indoor temperatures. However, it grows slowly and prefers well-drained soil. Although it occasionally produces small, inconspicuous flowers close to the soil, it is mainly cultivated for its foliage. During the Victorian era, the aspidistra became particularly popular in British homes because it could flourish in dimly lit rooms affected by coal smoke. Today, it remains a favourite ornamental plant for homes and offices because of its remarkable resilience and minimal maintenance requirements.
The Labrador Retriever, commonly known as the Labrador, is one of the most popular dog breeds in Britain and many other parts of the world. Originally developed in Newfoundland, Canada, it was used by fishermen to retrieve fish and fishing nets from the water. The breed was later developed further in Britain. Labradors are medium-to-large dogs with strong bodies, broad heads, friendly expressions and short, dense, water-resistant coats. Their coats are usually black, yellow or chocolate in colour. They are intelligent, affectionate, energetic and eager to please, making them excellent companions for families. Labradors generally get on well with children and other animals when properly socialised. Because of their intelligence and trainability, they are widely employed as guide dogs for people with visual impairments, assistance dogs and search-and-rescue dogs. They also excel at retrieving objects and participating in obedience training. Labradors need regular exercise, companionship and a balanced diet. With proper care, they can live happy, active lives and become devoted members of a household.
The snapdragon is a popular flowering plant known for its colourful blossoms and distinctive shape. Its botanical name is Antirrhinum majus, and it is native to the Mediterranean region. The plant gets its common name from its flowers, which resemble a dragon’s mouth. When the sides of a flower are gently squeezed, its petals open like a little mouth and close again when released. Snapdragons produce tall flower spikes bearing blossoms in a wide range of colours, including red, pink, yellow, orange, white and purple. They are widely cultivated in gardens, borders and pots because they add colour and vertical interest to outdoor spaces. Although often grown as annuals, snapdragons can behave as short-lived perennials in suitable climates. They generally thrive in fertile, well-drained soil and prefer a sunny position, although some varieties tolerate partial shade. Regular watering and the removal of faded flowers can encourage further blooming. Snapdragons are also valued as cut flowers and are frequently used in floral arrangements.
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Across
1a Permanently ahead of pace too (3,4,7)
FOR GOOD MEASURE: FOR GOOD (permanently) as an adverbial phrase meaning permanently, indefinitely or forever placed in front of (ahead of) MEASURE (pace) as a pace of step leads to the definition of an adverbial phrase meaning in addition to the required amount or as something extra, an example of which is too i.e. also, in addition or as well
9a Abbreviated quote in genuine performance (7)
RECITAL: CIT[E] (quote) as a verb meaning to quote or refer to as an example abbreviated or shortened with the removal of its last letter and placed inside (in) REAL (genuine) as an adjective meaning genuine, authentic or true guides to the definition of a public performance of music or dance, especially by a solo performer or by a performer and one or more accompanists
10a Model leader in perfect Spanish kingdom (7)
PARAGON: The definition of a model of excellence or perfection of a kind is reached from the leading or first letter (leader) in P[ERFECT] followed by ARAGON (Spanish kingdom) as a historical region and a medieval and early modern kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula, corresponding to the modern-day autonomous community of Aragon, in Spain
11a Tiny bit, first half of 7 Down, say? (4)
ATOM: The definition of a tiny bit or piece of anything is got from A TO M (first half of 7 Down, say) as cryptically denoting the words starting with the letters from A to M that constitute exactly the first half or initial thirteen letters of the twenty-six letter English alphabet, an example of which is half of the answer to 7 Down i.e. Roget’s Thesaurus, a reference book that comprises the synonyms of words in an alphabetical sequence i.e words that start with A right up to those that start with Z
12a Snake destroyed diarist’s plant (10)
ASPIDISTRA: ASP (Snake) as a venomous snake of various kinds, including Vipera aspis of southern Europe etc followed by an anagram (destroyed) of DIARIST (diarist’s) guides to the definition of an Asian plant of the liliaceous Aspidistra lurida, a popular house plant with long tough evergreen leaves and purplish flowers borne on the ground
14a Sharp bend in track by lake, for example (6)
DOGLEG: The definition of a sharp bend in a road, route or path is reached from DOG (track) as to track or follow like a dog, especially with hostile intent having alongside (by) L (lake) as an abbreviation for lake and EG (for example) as the abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia meaning ‘for example’
15a Manager I’d recalled before minister (8)
DIRECTOR: The definition of a person who controls resources and expenditures, an example of which is a manager i.e. one who directs or manages an organisation, industry, shop or household is reached from I’D from the clue coming back (recalled) as a reversal in the across clue placed in front of (before) RECTOR (minister) as a specific type of ordained minister or priest who leads and has full canonical charge of a self-supporting parish in traditions like the Anglican, Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches
17a Canine barking abroad, taken in both hands (8)
LABRADOR: The definition of a large breed of retriever dog with a smooth, short, dense coat and belonging to the biological family Canidae, an example of which is a canine i.e. an animal of the family Canidae, especially a dog, is got from an anagram (barking) of ABROAD brought inside (taken in) L and R (both hands) as the abbreviations for left hand and right hand respectively, usually as markings on products like gloves, orthopaedic splints or watch straps
18a Echo effect right, then note bounces back (6)
REVERB: The definition of an electronically produced echo effect is got from R (right) as the abbreviation for right followed by (then) BREVE (note) as a musical note equal to two whole notes or two semibreves in a returning fashion (bounces back) as a reversal in the across clue
21a Spiky plant with bark on, bore into it (10)
SNAPDRAGON: The definition of a plant of the genus Antirrhinum with spiky clusters of brightly coloured flowers that open like a dragon’s mouth when squeezed is got from a combination of SNAP (bark) as a verb meaning to bark, snarl or lash out at someone and ON from the clue and bringing in between (into it) DRAG (bore) as a noun denoting bore or referring to a person or thing that is very tedious
22a Piano song for two people (4)
PAIR: A charade of P (piano) as the abbreviation for piano in a piece of music, denoting an instruction to play quietly and AIR (song) as a tune or short melodious song leads to the definition of a couple or two persons who are married, engaged or dating
24a Repaired tyre in back of vehicle picked up by rogue trader(7)
RETREAD: The definition of an old worn-out tyre that is fitted with a new tread, the process heavily involving repairing the underlying structure before the new tread is applied is arrived at from the hind or back letter (back) of [VEHICL]E placed inside (picked up by) an anagram (rogue) of TRADER
25a Be left at home with it, visited by that woman (7)
INHERIT: The definition of a verb meaning to be left or bequeathed or to fall heir to is obtained from a combination of IN (home) as at or inside one’s home and (with) IT from the clue getting inside (visited by) HER (that woman) as a possessive determiner or possessive pronoun in the genitive case or an objective pronoun in the accusative or dative case pertaining to the third person singular feminine gender
26a Test with full ensemble on full ensemble? (5-9)
DRESS-REHEARSAL: A cryptic definition of REHEARSAL (test with full ensemble) as a full-scale uninterrupted practice session held shortly before a live performance of a play, opera or other theatrical work involving actors, singers, dancers, musicians etc performing together preceded by in the across clue (on) DRESS (full ensemble) as a coordinated outfit or set of designated clothes that they are wearing i.e. DRESS-REHEARSAL
Down
1d Overassertive, favouring conflict with daughter (7)
FORWARD: The definition of an adjective meaning overassertive, bold or presumptuous is got from a charade of FOR (favouring) as a preposition meaning favouring, supporting or backing, WAR (conflict) as a noun denoting a state of armed conflict, hostility or active warfare and D (daughter) as the genealogical abbreviation for daughter
2d Go for brick arranged on table in iconic stone mass (4,2,9)
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR: An anagram (arranged) of GO FOR BRICK placed, in the down clue, on top of (on) ALTAR (table) as a table, platform or flat block used in a church service or as the focus for a religious ritual leads to the definition of an iconic stone mass, a monolithic limestone promontory located in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar
3d Promise unlimited hate (4)
OATH: The definition of a promise, solemn pledge or binding declaration is got from [L]OATH[E] (hate) as a verb meaning to hate, detest or feel intense dislike for devoid of its outer boundaries or edge letters (unlimited)
4d A little strudel is highly scrumptious (6)
DELISH: Part of or hidden inside (a little) [STRU]DEL IS H[IGHLY] leads to the definition of an informal short for delicious meaning something that is tasteful, an example of which is scrumptious i.e. greatly pleasing to the taste
5d Graphic old painting initially lawful (8)
EXPLICIT: The definition of an adjective meaning graphic or having sexual acts or nudity clearly depicted is got from EX (old) as a prefix indicating of a person no longer what they were but still living or now old followed by the initial or starting letter (initially) of P[AINTING] and LICIT (lawful) as an adjective meaning lawful, legal or legitimate
6d Soldiers in pieces after Mass, say (10)
SERVICEMEN: The definition of soldiers, military personnel or members of the armed forces is got from MEN (pieces) as pieces used in playing chess, draughts etc preceded by or coming after (after) SERVICE (Mass, say) as a religious rite or formal ceremony, an example of which is a Mass i.e. the formal name used primarily by the Roman Catholic Church to describe their main public worship service that includes the celebration of the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper
7d Literary reference work sure gets authors excited! (6,9)
ROGET’S THESAURUS: The definition of a famous English-language reference book of synonyms and concepts is obtained from an anagram (excited) of SURE GETS AUTHORS
8d Amusement park not opening? It’s not reasonable (6)
UNFAIR: [F]UNFAIR (amusement park) as an amusement park that is organised around some theme devoid of its opening or first letter (not opening) leads to the definition of an adjective meaning unfair, unjust or not reasonable
13d Anyhow, reduce one’s attention? (10)
REGARDLESS: The definition of an adverb meaning anyhow, anyway or in spite of everything is arrived at from to make less (reduce) one’s regard (attention) i.e. to make LESS one’s REGARD, or cryptically, REGARDLESS
16d Get last of paste through my strainer (8)
COLANDER: A combination of LAND (get) as a verb meaning to get, score or gain, as in ‘to land a deal’ is ‘to get a deal’ and the ultimate or terminal letter (last) of [PAST]E getting inside (through) COR (my) as an interjection used to express surprise, amazement or admiration, an example of which is ‘my’ i.e. another interjection used as an exclamation of surprise, pleasure or dismay e.g. ‘Oh, my! What a tiring day!’ leads to the definition of a bowl-shaped strainer that is most frequently used for draining cooked pasta, rinsing vegetables and washing fresh fruit
17d Soft glow from saint wearing charm (6)
LUSTRE: The definition of a soft glow, sheen or brilliance is got from ST (saint) as the abbreviation for saint i.e. a holy or virtuous person having around it (wearing) LURE (charm) as a noun denoting charm, appeal or the power or quality of attracting
19d Bolts are endlessly rattling in old centre for delinquents (7)
BORSTAL: An anagram (rattling) of BOLTS AR[E] without the last letter taken into consideration (endlessly) leads to the definition of a school providing therapy and vocational training for delinquent boys in the United Kingdom and parts of the Commonwealth
20d European finesse (6)
POLISH: Double definition; the second being a noun meaning finesse, refinement or extreme delicacy in performance, skill etc that takes to the first an adjective used to describe anything relating to Poland or relating to the people or culture of Poland that is in Europe and hence European
23d Command to stop misery that’s pronounced (4)
WHOA: The definition of an interjection used as a command given to a horse to stop or slow down, as in horse training, riding or manège is obtained from a homophone heard by the audience (that’s pronounced) of WOE (misery) as intense misery, grief, distress or sorrow
There were many clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 1a, 11a, 12a, 17a, 21a, 24a, 26a, 2d, 7d, 13d and 16d; 7d being the best of the lot. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Dada for the entertainment. Looking forward to being here again. Have a nice day.