| Comments on the clues |
|---|
| 1. A little salt and pepper, then beat |
| 1. | Surface reading is awkward. |
|
| 2. Accompanying soprano, softly blow trumpet |
| 1. | Nice one, this should be on the premises if there's any justice. |
|
| 4. Bathe in case of scotch after climbing mountains |
|
| 5. Beat the odds to take first place – you might do it when you enter the pool |
| 1. | Your surface reading is smoother than a politician's promise. Nice one. |
|
| 10. Ed Davey's campaign for a headline (6) |
| 1. | "Ed Davey's campaign" fairly weak definition and requires very specific, topical knowledge. |
|
| 12. Hapless jerk loses heel of shoe in dash |
|
| 16. Impressive debut by British rock guitarist touring capital of Portugal (6) |
| 1. | He'd tour Europe, but play Lisbon. Nice though. |
|
| 17. Just a little soda tops off port liqueur, adding something heavenly |
| 1. | More semi-&lit, not all of the clue could be said to define the word. |
|
| 18. Lap's hard with small liquid quantity (6) |
| 1. | A semi is normally viable def + whole wp = stronger def. Not sure about this semi-demi &lit cop-out. Lap=lapping feels clumsy too. |
|
| 21. Noise of a body falling into water ( 6 ) |
| 1. | Seems very straight. | | 2. | Where's the wordplay? | | 3. | Not at all cryptic really. |
|
| 23. Odds on Truss getting what bigger fish are making? |
| 1. | Amusing, and original definition. |
|
| 24. Place in band for trumpet? |
| 1. | Economical and accurate, points from me. |
|
| 28. Result of hapless swimming wasting energy? |
| 1. | Nicely done, points here. |
|
| 30. Sensational story about president's wound (6) |
|
| 39. Where Celtic plays football remains wet |
| 1. | Lovely surface, points here. |
|
