No 13797, Friday 24 Feb 2023, Dr. X

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS ON FRIDAYS ONLY

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ACROSS

1   Finishing off bottle finally, I leave bar, tottering and unsteady (8) VARIABLE {I+LEAVe+BAR}*

5   Bone in bag, unusual (6) SACRUM {SAC}{RUM}

10 Whistle at the French model in sleeveless vest (7) SINGLET {SING}{LE}{T}

11 Bringing back gel to tackle arm pains (7) TWINGES {T{WING}ES<=}

12 Protest escalated, I hear (5) GROAN (~grown)

13 Attend to damaged teak floor (4,5) LOOK AFTER*

14 Spies suspects crossing meadow with dope (6,6) DOUBLE AGENTS {DOUB{LEA}{GEN}TS}

18 Find flyer trembling with rage in accidental shooting by own army (8,4) FRIENDLY FIRE {FIND+FLYER}*{IRE}

21 Plan to pick up parcel with English dessert (9) CHARLOTTE {CHAR{LOT}T}{E}

23 Boy breaking former pupil's record (5) ALBUM {AL{B}UM}

24 Visual of Capitol riots (7) OPTICAL*

25 Head of institute meeting potential donors inside a building (7) INDOORS {In...e}{DONORS}*

26 Stumped by spin and pace (6) STRIDE {ST}{RIDE}

27 Gives credit to nurse essentially involved in treatment of scabies (8) ASCRIBES {nuRse} in {SCABIES}*

DOWN

1   Face struggle to overcome depression (6) VISAGE {VI{SAG}E}

2   Aimless national party crushed by force (6) RANDOM {RA{N}{DO}M}

3   Everybody went on trips to American city (9) ALLENTOWN {ALL}{WENT+ON}*

4   Drunk model belly dancing with oomph let loose gradually (6,2,6) LITTLE BY LITTLE {LIT}{T}{BELLY}*{IT}{LET}*

6   Start to anxiously tackle a powerful Japanese dog (5) AKITA {An...y}{KIT}{A}

7   Cook a most refreshing type of pasta (8) RIGATONI {RIG}{A}{TONIc}

8   Suspect corrosion after condensation (8) MISTRUST {RUST}<=>{MIST}

9   Shot by Tendulkar, perhaps? Outstandingly brilliant idea (6,2,6) STROKE OF GENIUS [DD]

15 Gardener gone to get hold of money plant (9) GERMANDER {GER{M}ANDER*}

16 Revolutionary special effects by performers showing special talents (1-7) X-FACTORS {FX<=}{ACTORS}

17 Smear about India's captain in column (8) PILASTER {P{In..a}LASTER}

19 Consume some crabs or beef (6) ABSORB [T]

20 Delights in morning exercises (6) AMUSES {AM}{USES}

22 Secured transaction set up to receive a little cash (5) LACED {DE{Cash}AL<=}

Reference List

The in French = LE, Model = T, Dope = GEN, English = E, Boy = B, Stumped = ST, National = N, Party = DO, Drunk = LIT, Oomph = IT, Tackle = KIT, Money = M, Special effects = FX