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That’s more like it! After last week’s rant, the least I can do is add a word of appreciation when things look up again. A nice tidy puzzle this week, not too taxing but well constructed, requiring only a very short, clearly defined trawl. More like this please!

Agreed, Hypotheses

I had heard of one of the four and thus knew (it is 2024) we were fishing in a much smaller pool.

Good start for Fire and thanks to Doc for holding the fort.

I was relieved that this wasn't quite as easy as Fire's previous puzzle (in August) as I felt quite cheated with that one. Today's was well put together, but I'd have liked something just a little more challenging.

I learnt last time that Fire is a collaboration of four female setters, “Fire” being the Danish for “Four”.

Perfectly decent puzzle but I am rather in Malone’s camp; it didn’t outlast my first morning cuppa. One pedantic query: should “on” in 42a not be “in”, or is nautical usage of “on” (as in “on board”) involved?

Thanks, Jack. I quite liked the 'on' being on board...

14 Ordered Horse & Hound (3,3)
I have ?ad?gg
Thanks

Krauton,'Ordered', told, directed, leads to a 4-letter verb, followed by the usual 'horse. The 'hound' is not nice...

This may be obvious, as no-one has mentioned it - but I can't see what supplies the last letter of 28a.

Interesting.
These comments, and last week's, have apparently revealed a split almost as irreconcilable as that in US politics. I found this week's rather dull in that it was too straightforward, and was barely a coffee break task. By contrast, I thoroughly enjoyed structuring the hard work necessary to complete last week's.
Perhaps I am too old...