No 14763, Thursday 09 Apr 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 21A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Began to sing in lorry, enthralled by drink (6,2) STRUCK UP {S{TRUCK}UP}

5   Prepare for major housing amendment (6) REFORM [T]

10 Guide in rough terrain (7) TRAINER*

11 Pep up in final, making a comeback after catch (7) HEARTEN {NET<=}<=>{HEAR}

12 A little lamp in back row's illuminated again (5) RELIT {Lamp} in {TIER<=}

13 Racing with caution on essentially dangerous circuit (9) CAREERING {CARE}{d..gEr..s}{RING}

14 What bats will do to remain united (4,8) HANG TOGETHER [C&DD]

18 Emphatic about criminal being unstable (12) INCONSISTENT {IN{CON}SISTENT}

21 Disastrous match! Coming to grips with primarily shocking collapse (9) D?S?E?A?R () 

23 Rude lady breaks heart, goes round with model (5) BLUNT {NU{L}B<=}{T}

24 Kind of stop without electronic tollgate perhaps (7) GLOTTAL TOLLGATe*

25 Small amount of dope after a little meth in endless party (7) SMIDGEN {GEN}<=>{S{Meth}IDe}

26 British sailors in foreign isle, extremely matey (6) LIMEYS {ISLE+MateY}*

27 Despicable boy advanced to ensnare good girl (8) BEGGARLY {B}{E{G}{G}ARLY}

DOWN

1   Lampoon American involved in agitation on base (6) SATIRE {S{A}TIR}{E}

2   Truly perk up after consuming ecstasy (6) REALLY {R{E}ALLY}

3   Pressurise with rooks on column (9) CONSTRAIN {CONS}{TRAIN}

4   Unidentifiable bag in enclosure, suspicious (14) UNRECOGNISABLE*

6   Remove saree naughtily (5) ERASE*

7   Completely unacceptable massage by houseguest on vacation (8) OUTRIGHT {OUT}{RIG}{Ho...sT}

8   Cribs about primarily arrogant administrators (8) MANAGERS {MAN{Ar...t}GERS}

9   Secures fantastic sandwiches, tart and bit of tiramisu for dessert (9,5) CHARLOTTE RUSSE {SECURES}* over {HARLOT}{Ti...u}

15 Honouring Lennon with big bust (9) ENNOBLING {LENNON+BIG}*

16 Did 'Lungi Dance' in Indian city (8) DINDIGUL*

17 Blizzard in sector, I'm worried (3,5) ICE STORM*

19 Need enormous runs to win final of competition (6) HUNGER {HUGE}{R} over {c...oN}

20 Error to retain tenor, extremely grumpy and mean (6) STINGY {S{T}IN}{GrumpY}

22 Contestant wanting special watch (5) ENTRY sENTRY

Reference List

Drink = SUP, Final = NET, Criminal = CON, Lady = L, Model = T, Dope = GEN, Boy = B, Good = G, Girl = G, American = A, Base = E, Ecstasy = E, Rooks = CONS, Runs = R, Tenor = T, Special = S