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Reportedly won with an ace. (3)

Awesome!


Almost done! All I need is a clue for PUZZLE.

What do you think of:

At first, pretty ugandan leading enquiry went round zebras twice (6) - PUZZLE
"At first" signals take the first letters of Pretty Ugandan Leading Enquiry (PULE) and put them around Zebras twice ZZ, making PUZZLE

Good offer! I'm struggling to think of anything better, for a difficult word.

Minor point - Ugandan would be better than ugandan.

You might use "Zulus" instead of "Zebras" - current NATO and aviation alphabet, though zebra has been used in the past.

...also, do you need a definition? "Conundrum, at first...." perhaps?

What do you think of:

Initially protective, Ugandan leading enforcers went round Zulus twice, solving the mystery (6) - PUZZLE

I think it reads a bit better.

How about - Why the Ugandan Police initially went back with the French to capture a couple of Zulus is a mystery.

Umhlanga (pronounced oomshlanga) is a town in KwaZulu-Natal, home of the Zulus, so maybe replace Ugandan with Umhlangan? Though I appreciate Ugandan is a familiar word, so you might want to stay with it.

I like your clue Brendan. You should enter the forum competitions!

Good luck Crypticnoobie.
I hope your friend appreciates all the effort you've put into his birthday surprise.

Thanks for all your help everyone! :)

The final clues are:

Organize hippy a dry bath, say, to celebrate an annual event!(5,8) - HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Found in the drool drips, at death's door.(3) - OLD
Reversing in traffic makes him windy. (4) - FART

Reportedly won with an ace. (3) - ONE
O oft spoilt tread (4) - FOOT
Thine improper insertion (2,3) - IN THE
Serious Plot (5) - GRAVE

I've heard a large number are coming for tea. (5) - FORTY
Seeking discomfort you waited four decades! (5) - FORTY

Enter lodge (5) - BOARD
wildfowl play (4) - GAME

Sad embargo dances in the basement (5,5) - BOARD GAMES
(we have board game nights in his basement)

international seven cut down, is Space Thug(6) - CHEWIE
(Chewie was the nickname of a former intern of his)

Chicken, reversed father, frog daddy (6) - Henson.
(his middle name)

Starting again a show, for cancer ladies (6) - OSHAWA

Oak rake scatters, damaging song (7) - KARAOKE

prostitute, me and I, are intimates (6) - FRIEND
HO + MIE is homie, which is another word for Intimates, both of which are words for FRIEND.

Initially protective, Ugandan leading enforcers went round Zulus twice, solving the mystery (6) - PUZZLE

Golden god's creator (6) - AUTHOR

Arise for this joker. (5-2) - STAND-UP