No 2717, Sunday 16 Dec 12

ACROSS
1   - The Parisian on Northern Ireland river (4)  - NILE {NI}{LE}
3   - What may show twenty with chap bagging a run? (10)  - SCOREBOARD {SCORE}{BO{A}{R}D} semi&lit
9   - Writer may have question after dance (9)  - BALLPOINT {BALL}{POINT}
11 - Invigorating air round region (5)  - OZONE {O}{ZONE}
12 - Where lots go to join game (7,6)  - AUCTION BRIDGE {AUCTION} {BRIDGE}
14 - Garden centre in northern Surrey, flourishing (7)  - NURSERY {N}{SURREY*}
16 - Nobleman, one meeting the Queen beforehand (7)  - EARLIER {EARL}{1}{ER}
17 - Flinches, with reference to snakes (7)  - RECOILS {RE}{COILS}
19 - Sharp end (7)  - EXTREME [DD]
20 - How to handle unwanted photo opportunity? (4,3,4,2)  - GRIN AND BEAR IT [CD]
23 - Engaged in a contest (5)  - ABOUT {A}{BOUT}
24 - Caution shown as gift horse put out (9)  - FORESIGHT*
25 - Takes over from leading exporter, initially in casual dresses (10)  - SUPERSEDES {UP+E+DRESSES}*
26 - Study prepared? Almost (4)  - READ READy

DOWN
1   - In bar, señor prepared questions that are very easy to answer (2-8)  - NO-BRAINERS*
2   - Ring up about first of images in colour (5)  - LILAC {L{I}LAC<=}
4   - Ring about name on top of yellow funnel (7)  - CHIMNEY {CHIM{N}E}{Y}
5   - One no longer working on Hebridean island (7)  - RETIREE {RE}{TIREE}
6   - Family is concerned about Pinter's last play (5,8)  - BLOOD BROTHERS {BLOOD} {B{R}OTHERS}
7   - Together in the past (2,3,4)  - AT ONE TIME [DD]
8   - Fight scheduled - end of April (4)  - DUEL {DUE}{L}
10 - Brief man about elected premier (5,8)  - PRIME MINISTER {PRIME} {M{IN}ISTER}
13 - Determined one's position with an editor, upset having received note (10)  - ORIENTATED {ORIENTA{TE}D*}
15 - Musicians, perhaps, sway Greek publisher (4,5)  - ROCK GROUP {ROCK} {GR}{OUP}
18 - Appropriate bit (7)  - SNAFFLE [DD]
19 - Favour daughter entering English and another language (7)  - ENDORSE {E}{N{D}ORSE}
21 - Profligate nicking grand, the villain (5)  - ROGUE {RO{G}UE}
22 - Transfer to be approved (4) - PASS [DD]

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