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Thanks for the link to the blog!

17a. A cinch,right? Wrong!
GIRTH

4d. Textbook of the highest quality, latest from professor
PRIMER

10a. Hali given to cover head
CAPO

8d. Unfinished business caused by ill-defined objective
LOOSE-END

5d. Dismisses those on register
CASHIERS

Parses for the above please.

Typo in 10a..... should say 'Halo'

Halo is O on CAP (cover). Capo is a Mafia boss, so head.

5. To cashier is the dismiss (an army term)
8. Double defn.
4. PRIME (high quality) + R (last letter from professoR)
17. Not sure on this one

…Chambers has cinch = a saddle girth (US)

Thanks for the replies.

8a. Composer and explorer getting home before lunchtime?
ROSSINI

11a. He will welcome call to attract attention at sea
HEAVE HO

Parses for the above please.

I think the first one is ROSS (explorer, John?) + IN (at home) and I (as in 1pm lunch time)

The other one might be HE (from the clue) + AVE (welcome) + HO (call to attract attention) but I’m not sure how the defn works??