No 9669, Friday, 23 Oct 09, M.Manna

In a hurry as I am off to display my 56 model FIAT at the Oktober Fest being held at Bangalore from today till the 25th
ACROSS
1 - When distressed by failure have tea with a smile (7) - {CHA}{GRIN}
5 - Influencing a course of action (7) - SELLING [CD]
9 - Lou is game to make moulds of objects to help investigation (7) - MOULAGE*
10 - An old soldier of many battles (7) - VETERAN [E]
11 - Aids given on road after hostile incursions (5) - {R}{AIDS}
12 - It’s found on the beach, a piece of litter perhaps, an abrasive substance (9) - {SAND}{PAPER}
13 - Weed — taking care, gets it dealt with (9) - CIGARETTE* Where's the S gone
15 - The fibre used in evening dresses is a lustrous synthetic (5) - SISAL [T]
16 - Rebuked angrily on charged value (5) - RATED [DD]
18 - House of ancestral plan founded by Henry IV (9) - LANCASTER*
21 - Tears madly around for certain prizes (9) - TREA{SURE}S*
24 - Beats improperly a contemptible person (5) - BEAST*
25 - Relates to the orientals (7) - EASTERN [E]
26 - Avail of right type of proper hard work (7) - {TR<-}{AVAIL}
27 - Carrying capacity of gent on a bender (7) - TONNAGE*
28 - Grant forgiveness to the sailor and provide a solution (7) - REEDEMS [DD]
DOWN
1 - A fine lawn — though it’s never mown! (7) - CAMBRIC [CD]
2 - A sad lapse in a fool or comic (7) - A?U?I?G
3 - Are free and hot under duress, anyhow, which was encouraging (9) - {REA*}SSURED*
4 - Send breakdown course requirements (5) - NE{E}DS*
5 - A number viewed outside sporting contest (9) - S{EVENT}EEN
6 - Lessen intensity to release impediment (3, 2) - LET UP [DD]
7 - Rushes forcibly to rip out rust (7) - IRRUPTS*
8 - Common sorts left behind (7) - GENERA{L}
14 - Why one doesn’t give the sack to the bad cleaner? (9) - {TO}LERANCE*
15 - Eminent directors? Right! (9) - {STAR}{BOARD}
16 - Go back and resume negotiations (7) - RETREAT [CD]
17 - Patriot’s final excuse for betrayal (7) - {T}REASON
19 - Gather outside — note the small bill for a snack (7) - T{E}{AC}AKE
20 - Shaking noises startle alarmingly (7) - RATTLES
22 - At least it may be used as an upright stone slab (5) - STELA*
23 - Is back on pitch, as it is played in India (5) - SI<-{TAR}


GRID