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Thanks to Paul for an exceptionally difficult but rewarding Prize this week.
FOI 17 (first scan was not encouraging). I got two long multi-word anagrams (hint) quickly, which was auspicious, but almost all the rest was a struggle.
Several unfamiliar terms had to be deduced from parsing, including an absolutely brilliant trademark Pauline entry.
LOI: tie between (4,24) and 22d, two I doubted I'd ever get.
COD: tie between (20,10), (4,24) and 14d (tricky misdirect). Long COD list included 3, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19 and 23a (yeah, good job by Paul).

I hope other solvers enjoy the puzzle as much as I did, but find it a bit easier 😊. Could be a busy thread.

Hi Geeker,

I've just got back from a night out and am in no shape to try and crack this but, judging by your blog, we're all in for a treat and a challenge - excellent 😜

Sorry, misspoke in #1. One of the long clues mentioned was a charade rather than anagram.

Absolutely loved this. Just needed a dip into chambers a couple of times to steer me in the right direction but the way it unfolded was a treat.

The grid pattern is a delight and helpful too I think. If it looks initially daunting there are lots of intersections which definitely helps.

Enjoyed this puzzle didn't find it too difficult.

I also enjoyed this and not too tricky. Liked 4/24 and it helped that I’ve seen this phrase come up recently, in the Indy I think

4/24 reminded me of the joke about the brave chihuahua that ran back into a burning building when it realised that one of the people trapped inside hadn’t yet been bitten in the face.

Some rather annoying clues, for me, with ill chosen definitions eg. 3d and 6d.
Don't understand how 13a works but have put an answer in.
Some nice clues and answers but, overall, rather frustrating.

Anyone have any hints for either 11,16 or 1 down???

I found this quite tricky to finish - had the same last 2 as geeker. Hadn’t heard of 4,24 tbh and had to use the solution wizard. My COD was either 20,10 as it made me smile or 7d as it made me groan.