CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD NO.763

Here’s your chance to win a €15 book token. Complete the crossword using either the cryptic or the quick clues and send it to us with your name and address. Send your solution to: Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.763, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must be received by Thursday. The winner will be drawn from a hat. The winner of Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.762 is Andy Kinsella, Castlebridge, Co. Wexford.

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

8 Almost regretting adding the Spanish flavouring (6) 9 Manacle also gets Catholic in bad mood (8) 10 Back, worried about payment, backing European muscle man (8) 11 Handset, far away (6) 12 Block from pagan village (5)

13 Worst areas to refuel (4) 14 Manage firm exercise (4) 16 Sycophant joins queen in trailer (7)

18 Exaggerate concerning part of the play (7)

20 Doesn’t stand for false statements (4)

21 More educated about grass (4)

22 Stupidity is building (5) 25 A concert hall in the street (6)

27 Boa cries out for exercises (8)

28 One tending organisation that’s penniless (8) 29 Class’s top student, always brainy (6)

Down

1 Kitty points to hooch (6)

2 Guile in finest cars’ design (10)

3 Judge gets left exposed (5)

4 Bird to phone about nine (7)

5 Strange virtues in being invasive (9)

6 This campaign hides a dodgy enterprise (4) 7 Leaving head in charge – that’s irrelevant (3-5)

14 Old bouncer turned into top chef (6,4)

15 Encouraged by compassion and terrible need (9)

17 Check opening design again (8)

19 Fine writer – a lieutenant, unknown (7)

23 Secure alien case (6) 24 Demolish what’s left of the ship (5)

26 French film director about to leave a genre (4)