No. 12409, Thursday 30 Aug 2018, Xchequer

Standing in for Colonel as he goes on an intercity drive early in the morning.

This is a puzzle very much in the mould of Xchequer with his imaginative wordplay and misdirection. Liked several clues, but to name a few : EUPHORIA, HAUGHTY, DEGREE,  REALTY, BAD HAIR DAYS, NOT LONG AGO and PRUDES. 

Thanks to the setter.

ACROSS
7 Crows set to fly with a measure of light from the east coming through (6) EXULTS [SET* outside LUX <=]
8 Short lad cut top of dress (6) BODICE [BOy + DICE]
10 Hope air-conditioned housing, typically posh, will give great delight (8) EUPHORIA [HOPE AIR* outside U]

 11 Led astray after dessert in the pool (6) PUDDLE [PUD + LED*]
12 Left whatever king wore, it's spare (5) LANKY [Left + ANY outside King]
14 Superior hotel, anything's the ultimate in luxury (7) HAUGHTY [Hotel + AUGHT + luxurY]
15 Spoilt dog had it good, yet cat has to fool around (3,3,5,4) ACT THE GIDDY GOAT [DOG HAD IT Good YET CAT]*
18 Partner tracking sign spotted animal (7) LEOPARD [LEO + PARD]
19 Musician's holy, being childless (5) PI PER [PI + PERson]
20 Chinese tea required to study and pass at University (6) CONGOU [CON + GO + University]
21 Many go crazy about a French boyfriend (5,3) YOUNG MAN [MANY GO* outside UN]
23 Secured parts in small bars (6) INGOTS [GOT inside IN + Small]
24 River banks for instance at right level (6) DEGREE [DEE outside EG + Right]

DOWN
1 Government form relating to local insurers (8) REPUBLIC [RE + PUB + LIC]
2 Boost provided by hot drink counter (4) PUSH [Hot + SUP] <=
3 Yard behind shop floor (6) STOREY [STORE + Yard]
4 Pen a senseless condition having shortage of a currency (8) COMPOUND [COMa + POUND]
5 Underground warning hitmen, a DGP's involved (4,3,3) MIND THE GAP [HITMEN A DGP]*

6 Grounds for example to show female's right in fidelity (6) REALTY [FEALTY with Right for Female]
9 Messy braid say, had stretches of recurring rough patches (3,4,4) BAD HAIR DAYS [BRAID SAY HAD]*
13 Of late, idea for one-line joke getting almost naughty? (3,4,3) NOT LONG AGO [NOTION with Line for 1 + GAG + 0 = naughty]
16 English very keen to retain area, that's clear (8) EVACUATE [English + Very + ACUTE outside Area]
17 Carriage with white horses, possibly vehicle for relays? (8) AIRWAVES [AIR + WAVES]
18 Chance of inclusion appearing to have an early end (4-2) LOOK-IN [LOOKINg]
19 Special lifts to carry cheeky old maids (6) PRUDES [SPecial <= outside RUDE]
22 Blood shed in killing or execution (4) GORE [Hidden]

GRID

Bhargav's Talepiece

A lanky piper who was haughty

Came to Shangri-la and behaved naughty

He was pushed

And thrashed

Promptly evacuated to distant Djibouti!!