One unclued entry (three words) gives the theme, and five others give two-word names directly connected with it. Remaining unclued entries give two examples of the theme phrase, one of two words and one of three.

Across

1 US underdogs willingly bring moggies under control? (4,4)

7 I’m sorry, love, to get info about daughter (2,4)

12 Deciphered name in pastry (2,5)

13 Man on board captures a wild ass (5)

14 Money-changing involves plunder, to be expected in studying growth (14)

19 Society protected arch in Edinburgh (4)

20 With DA, this youth would be old-fashioned (3)

22 One who sails along with fabled reindeer (6)

23 Frugal, not using good juniper (5)

25 Bibles rejected as a way of working (5)

28 Rutherford, having consumed joint, was very bitter (7)

31 Wonderful grain to swallow (5)

33 Suit one bridge player leads to two others (5)

35 Letter rejected her silly card game (6)

38 Essential constituent of mer, lac and jus? (3)

40 One who will succeed in broadcast show (4)

43 Abdicate without having succeeded – or ___ (5)

44 I must stop a canoe overturning – here? (7)

45 What’ll help you sleep: syringes containing nitrogen (6)

Down

1 Drivers depriving the pets of all hydrogen (9)

3 Adele messed around with old waterweed (6)

5 Elizabethan tracks sun after time travelling (6)

6 Brief material for briefs? (4)

8 Almost dangerous term for raconteuse with many stories (4-4)

9 The Japanese eat these kids on a roll (7)

11 Race concerning wager (5)

15 Cruel one ran in scramble (8)

16 Letters from God (departs for university) (4)

18 Tyneside quays troubled atheists (8)

24 Tardigrade quality to tolerate (5,4)

26 Change for one ordinary confidant (5,3)

29 Entered, keen to get involved with DIY (5,2)

30 Lord once found me courtly on a regular basis (4)

32 Almost inclined to solve (4)

34 Lily Langtry’s opening involves husband – it’s symbolic (6)

36 Artist blocks smart French politician (6)

37 Some silly MP hated vaccine (5)

39 Essentially drunk newt changes heart, becoming dry (5)

41 No way a riddle lacks an ending (2,2)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 14 November. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2579, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery. The dictionary prize is not available at present.

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