No 2807, Sunday 07 Sep 2014

HAPPY ONAM TO ALL WHO VISIT MY BLOG 

ACROSS
1   Work hard in attempt to get cup (6) TROPHY {TR{OP}{H}Y}
4   I allow small number inside, in the dark (8) IGNORANT {I}{G{NO}RANT}
10 Restore control, say (9) REINSTATE {REIN}{STATE}
11 A nearly new suit (5) AGREE {A}{GREEn}
12 Evident through time (5) OVERT {OVER}{T}
13 Italian boarding house, right for a senior citizen (9) PENSIONER {PENSIONE}{R}
14 For example, cricket magazine's left (9,5) SPECTATOR SPORT {SPECTATOR 'S}{PORT}
18 Name of deceased male found in a Tube train? (4,4,6) DEAD MAN'S HANDLE [C&DD]

20 Preparation of ricin isn't essential (9) INTRINSIC*
22 Piece of music individual found amongst books (5) NONET {N{ONE}T}
24 Tell about a European country (5) SPAIN {SP{A}IN}
25 Last always, reportedly, to make an industrious effort (9) ENDEAVOUR {END}{EAVOUR(~ever)}
26 Fellow explorer finds plant (8) MANDRAKE {MAN}{DRAKE}

27 Nothing in measuring device can show falling star (6) METEOR {METE{O}R}

DOWN
1   Wrong French river for this reptile (8) TORTOISE {TORT}{OISE}
2   Express an opinion in shop in Edinburgh (5) OPINE [T]
3   Thought twice, angry about rest (9) HESITATED {HE{SIT}ATED}
5   Set of safety rules old codger screens once rewritten (5,5,4) GREEN CROSS CODE {O+CODGER+SCREENS}*
6   Some took a picture of rainforest animal (5) OKAPI [T]
7   Plant high priest has first to ram into turf (6,3) AARONS ROD {AARON}{S {Ram}OD}

8   Ambassador taken in by right-wing supposition (6) THEORY {T{HE}ORY}
9   Dish past age bracket, unfortunately (9,5) CARPETBAG STEAK*

15 Fourth letter in chart - see it any differently? The reason? (9) EYESTRAIN {chaRt+SEE+IT+ANY}* &lit
16 Though no belle, she's always on the level! (5,4) PLAIN JANE [CD]
17 New ruler etc. don provided (8) LECTURER*
19 Turn down quantity of steamed dumplings (3,3) DIM SUM {DIM}{SUM}

21 Victor letting slip wife's secret (5) INNER wINNER
23 Trap quickly springs back - end of mouse! (5) NOOSE {NOOS<=}{mousE}