No 12717, Thursday 29 Aug 2019, Dr. X

ACROSS
1   New university head accepts point on reflection (2-2-4) UP-TO-DATE {Un...y}{P{DOT<=}ATE}
5   Blunder to enter gala nearly showing rifle (6) FERRET {F{ERR}ETe}
10 Smart move taking model for wife (5) STING S(-w+t)TING
11 Pure boiled food is good (9) REPUTABLE {PURE*}{TABLE}
12 Secret police tried to capture essentially dangerous criminal (9) RECONDITE {R{d..gEr..s}{CON}DITE*}
13 Group of nine performing in Final (5) NONET {N{ON}ET}
14 Tasteless cherry brandy – time for a little rum (6) KITSCH KI(-r+t)TSCH

15 Disrespectful fellow beginning to abuse in flat (7) PROFANE {PRO{F}{Ab..e}NE}
18 A little snake slithers and dashes off (7) SCRAWLS {Sn..e}{CRAWLS}
20 Shapely elves dancing around middle of pasture (6) SVELTE {ELVES}* over {pasTure}
22 Looking at securing ecstasy for model (5) EYING (-t+e)EYING
24 Become very angry in bar and knock over a fellow after argument (5,1,3) THROW A FIT {T}{H{ROW}{A}{F}IT}
25 Shot revolutionary aboard express! Ran out to tell a far-fetched story (4,1,4) SPIN A YARN {S{NIP<=}AY}{RAN*}
26 Reappear in future curriculum (5) RECUR [T]
27 A model wearing spotted, glossy fabric (6) SATEEN {S{A}{T}EEN}
28 Endures insolent son stifling sister (8) PERSISTS {PERT}{S} over {SIS}

DOWN
1   Heartily encourage nervous nurse lacking self-confidence (6) UNSURE {e..oUr..e}{NURSE*}
2   Woman yearning to enter stage, getting more anxious (9) TWITCHIER {T{W}{ITCH}IER}
3   Avoid cemetery worker's services and invite misfortune (3,4,3,5) DIG ONES OWN GRAVE [DD]
4   Sully revolting scoundrel backing evil husband (7) TARNISH {RAT<=}{SIN<=}{H}
6   Finished in disaster! Now sadly admitting error (6,4,5) EATING ONES WORDS {GONE} in {DISASTER+NOW}*
7   Steal popular bird (5) ROBIN {ROB}{IN}

8   Couples having trouble tear contracts (8) TREATIES {TIES} over {TEAR*}
9   Upper-class peer secures king's support (6) UPKEEP {U}{P{K}EEP}
16 Tricks by raciest rogue to ensnare one female (9) ARTIFICES {RACIEST}* over {1}{F}
17 Slanders essentially break simpleton (8) ASPERSES {AS{PER SE}S}
19 Most wretched character backing petty tyrant (6) SATRAP {SAd}{PART<=}
20 Oddball managed to enter podium knocking out guard at Centre (7) STRANGE {ST{RAN}aGE}
21 Attacks corrupt, revolting man aboard steamer (6) STORMS {ROT<=}{M} in {SS}
23 I do it stupidly? (5) IDIOT* &lit

Reference List
Model = T, Wife = W, Time = T, Fellow = F, Ecstasy = E, Bar = T, Son = S, Woman = W, Husband = H, Popular = IN, Upper = U, King = K, Female = F, Man = M, Steamer = SS

GRID