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Another closely run contest with some excellent PD clues. Congratulations to David McKie who came out on top – his clue had a rather unsavoury image in the devilled sense, but an incredibly neat and concise construction! That's David's second win of the year and he is pushing hard for the Annual Prize.
 
Martin Price was a few points back in second place, his clue demonstrating a lovely switch in meaning between the devilled and undevilled versions.
 
Tom Borland bagged third spot to continue his excellent year and keeping his nose in front for the Annual Prize.
 
Luciano was another to shop a lot and scooped a third podium in a row – well done Luciano!
 
Don Manley completes the podium with what was his second top 5 finish in a row – it's up to the rest of you to knock these regulars of their perches!
 
Thanks to all as usual for the devilish entertainment!

Voting Information

Voting is open until Midnight UK time on Friday 23rd November.
 
Please award FIVE points maximum to the clue you judge best: FOUR points for second, THREE for third, TWO for fourth, down to ONE point for fifth; but otherwise you may distribute your votes as you see fit including ½ marks for split voting – as long as you award no more than 15 points IN TOTAL and no more than 5 points to any one clue…
 
…and of course you may NOT VOTE for your own clue!
 
COMMENTS:
 
Your comments in general and on individual clues, however much or little you write, are always most welcome! Please remember that if any particular clue or clues do not find favour with you, it is more helpful to offer constructive criticism – many of our members are keen to learn and hone their clue writing skills through our competition – feedback may be useful for their future efforts!

Entry Information

It's Marmite time! Love it or hate it your challenge for October is a Printer's Devilry (PD) clue to OPAL (4).
 
A Printer's Devilry clue is a passage from which the printer has removed a hidden answer, closing the gap and sometimes taking liberties with the punctuation and spacing, but not disturbing the order of the remaining letters. There is no need to include a definition of OPAL in your clue, but there is nothing to stop you if you so wish. However, from past experience, few judges give any extra merit for this unnecessary hard work!

A previous Azed winner will provide as an example:

Vaulting above tunnel entrance appears inane, scary
Answer: PESTO.
Undevilled version: Vaulting above tunnel entrance appears in an escape story

Every passage, when complete, should make sense. NB Many "judges" will normally give preference to PD clues in which the breaks before and after the word omitted (before and after omission) do not occur at the ends or beginnings of words in the clue.

Please give the full undevilled version of your clue as the EXPLANATION – plus any additional notes required.