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Thanks to Matilda for this week's Prize diversion.

Solving time solidly below Prize median, so perhaps somewhat easy, but exceptionally well clued.

FOI 1d
LOI 28 (2 was next to last)

One new word (clue # omitted to avoid spoiler).

COD 8. Runner-up 21 (unusual and witty construction).
Also receiving consideration: 5a, 12, 1d, 15, 16, 4, (3,19,24), 25 and 27. So it's obvious I enjoyed the puzzle.

Welcome back, geeker!
This was a bit of a relief after last week’s tough but (for me) very enjoyable Enigmatist. Definitely on the easy side, but a very pleasant solve. Am I right in thinking that Matilda is a rare appearance in the Prize slot, and is more usually seen in the Quiptics?
Anyway FOI 1d for me too, LOI for some reason 25 (the SW corner generally was slowish to yield.
COD - I have to agree with geeker’s 8, with 27 a close runner-up.

After 1a as my FOI and a few more write-ins, I started to wonder whether this woudl be a bit easy for a Prize puzzle. Not the case, though, as I then got stuck on some of the longer clues. Got through it alright in the end after thinking a bit more creatively, especially with the clever 3d and 8d. Overall, this was a pleasant and not too demanding workout when compared with the multi-hour grind that was Enigmatist last week.

Yes, I pretty much identify Matilda with Quiptics. Per 225, 29,290 (27 January 2024) was her Prize debut.

I wasn't expecting a blockbuster, but was pleasantly surprised and greatly enjoyed this week's.

To be frank, I was tired last Friday and skipped Enigmatist, not wanting to spend a lot of the weekend on the Prize.

Certainly easier than last week, but quite enjoyable. As geeker put it, very well clued. I also have 8 as COD, along with the 3,19, 24 triad. My only quibble is that 11 seems weak, but that hardly spoils a great puzzle.

Yes, darla, I agree that 11 was a bit of an 11 in the crossword as a whole.
Incidentally, Maskarade’s quick cryptic today is an enjoyable sorbet. I particularly liked 1a.

I spent quite a while trying to parse 8d before the penny dropped, but I agree that it's very clever. I suspect that there will be a few complaints on 225 next week from rhotic speakers (5d) outside the UK (18a). However, I was particularly pleased to see a reference to the impact of (27,26), which is devastating indigenous populations in Central America as well as damaging the environment.

Rogissimo @6, well played.

Morning all, after a hellish time last week this is much more like it. Foi 5a. Favourite so far easily, 13d.

Good fun I thought. I did wonder if there might be a message here about the impending separation of the Observer from the Guardian…