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Stands for starting price (betting)

Thanks jono, chrise... understood

Glad we could help.

27a. See court painter beheaded
ELY

Parse? My guess is that it's a 4-letter name of a painter with the first letter removed, but where's the definition? Is it an ecclesiastical see here?

Probably a reference to Peter Lely

In the Guardian earlier this week, when (ecclesiastical) "see" referred to Rochester rather than Ely, everyone was rather taken aback!

Thanks for the ELY explanation. Not a great clue if I'm honest.

3d. Drink composer left unfinished, entering better circle
CAPPUCCINO

I understand the parse apart from 'better' in the clue. Anyone help?

To better is to cap?

Oh that kind of 'better'....I was thinking of someone who places a wager... subtle misdirection!