Thursday 9 July

Across

1 Modified missile they compare (not literally) (7) 5 For Americans, field that’s extremely hard (7) 9 Last part of book, perhaps, some find exciting (5) 10 Respondents, as can be seen, covering all points about right (9) 11 Recalling upset about drug producing bad reaction (10) 12 Arsenal’s example of this weapon (4) 14 They help thieves steal handbags etc. (11) 18 Like life as simple as possible? I’ll run a clue that’s convoluted (11) 21 Soccer goalkeeper goofed thus (once in each half) (4) 22 Volume in English about an isolated regime (10) 25 Following one action of union, embracing it (9) 26 Succeeding with a more stern position? (5) 27 Last of aging female’s family that may be prepared to help in a pickle (7) 28 Beautiful woman performs without love in theatre part (7)

Down

1 Bias added to a line in personal kind of column (6) 2 Waist hit when batting – precisely (6) 3 Heard you and I ruled tax out of order, had it very easy (10) 4 Tool that’s sharp but may be said to be blunt (5) 5 Firing careless shot might result in this (9) 6 Perfectly performed in most social classes (4) 7 Covered as a learner, I drove erratically (8) 8 A coach secured by side in disarray? Correct (8) 13 It takes several horses to move it inches? (4-2-4) 15 Complicity in conflict, having change of heart (9) 16 Being promoted on board – for French, that upset good number (8) 17 Faction supporting gang in area close to fighting (8) 19 Short rhyme for it will, when spoken quickly (6) 20 Emoji used by wooer in suit (6) 23 Once more restrict speech, for example in newspaper (5) 24 Device for lifting injured hill-climber (4)