No 13755, Thursday 05 Jan 2023, Arden

Solution to 22D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Break off briefly, before beginning very early in the day (5,2,4) CRACK OF DAWN {CRACK}{OFf}{DAWN}

7   Holder close to mark on rifle (3) SAC SACk

9   Assembly was somewhat mercurial (5) CURIA [T]

10 The central parts more crisp from both - used in fragrances (5,4) ORRIS ROOT {mORe}{cRISp}{fROm}{bOTh}

11 Listen to the first lady's descent, listen in (9) EAVESDROP {(~eve's)EAVES}{DROP}

12 One getting extremely upset, it's serious (5) ACUTE {AC{UpseT}E}

13 It may be crude to check dead for some pulse (7) OILSEED {OIL}{SEE}{D}

15 Yankee will return - American way to keep fit (4) YOGA {Y}{GO<=}{A}

18 Old artist's back almost (4) AGED DEGAs<=

20 Hector Thoreau will listen patiently (4,3) HEAR OUT*

23 Lament for example, free to go west (5) DIRGE {EG}{RID}<=

24 Fish gone bad inside basket (6,3) CONGER EEL {C{GONE*}REEL}

26 Skin inflammation - doesn't take a second to get irritable and heedless (5,4) NAPPY RASH {sNAPPY}{RASH}

27 Insert one in opening and reverse - works! (5) TOILS {SL{1}OT<=}

28 Unpleasant fellow, very difficult to begin with (3) SOD {SO}{Di...t}

29 Does he bother a woman with Sherlock Holmes' hat? (11) DEERSTALKER [C&DD] (Addendum - {DEER}{STALKER} - See comments)

DOWN

1   Planter's cheap trick lying in bed (8) CACHEPOT {C{CHEAP*}OT}

2   Those who come are fair, even with opponents (8) ARRIVALS {fAiR}{RIVALS}

3   Bard's stakeout? (5) KEATS*

4   Sappers stopping the deluge, getting knocked over (7) FLOORED {FLOO{RE}D}

5   Waste a prize (7) ATROPHY {A}{TROPHY}

6   Longing about analogist (9) NOSTALGIA*

7   Top military commander will reject, has to return (6) SHOGUN {SH{GO<=}UN}

8   Share allowed to be eaten (6) CUTLET {CUT}{LET}

14 Midday mirth seen all around - very observant (5-4) EAGLE-EYED {E{dAy}{GLEE}YED}

16 Longing for Spooner's unknown peasant (8) HOMESICK (~some hick to homesick)

17 Employer broke rule, is it? (8) UTILISER*

19 A month left, time's up to proclaim (7) DECLARE {DEC}{L}{ERA<=}

20 Guesses meals after top level changes (7) HUNCHES (-l+h)HUNCHES

21 Handsome lad completely exposed - lady won't miss (6) ADONIS {lADy}{wONt}{mISs}

22 Covered with doubled protection for crime (6) ?R?P?D (Addendum - DRAPED {D}{RAPE}{D} - See comments)

25 Another entry in the next race (5) EXTRA [T]

Reference List

Dead = D, Yankee = Y, American = A, Second = S, Sappers = RE(Royal Engineers), Left = L