The unclued lights can be arranged to form an unbroken chain with the last three letters of one word becoming the first three of the next one.

Across

1    Play mind games with some gypsy children (5)
4    Skimpy petticoat found at fielding position (5,4)
9    Series of clues including note on opponents, browbeaten (10)
11    Sporting Cup seen in Ulster city, when cycling (5)
12    All we Brits have a say in it (7)
14    Custom banger lacking appeal upfront (5)
15    Small dog eats nothing for tea (5)
21    Drunk, one ruins family do’s (8)
22    Old coin in empty Eastbourne train (7)
24    Late Chopin piece: I Loved Narcissus (4)
25    Stepped back to sulk in Stirling (4)
27    Society friend embraces that girl who’s perfect in form (7)
28    Eeyore’s friend twice to express his disgust (4-4)
34    Horse circling western tree (5)
35    Farm vehicle backed up a kilometre on train line (5)
37    Disturbed vigil in home, regularly, of clan from Angus (7)
38    NY state city once near Carthage (5)
39    Read-outs on rebuilt blue property (6,4)
40    Much water for vitamin supplements provider (5,4)
41    Sign of tooth decay not initially conquered (5)

Down

1    Crimson cloth on ancient ruler shows largest British butterfly (6,7)
5    Such landscaping’s a laugh (2-2)
6    Welsh feature in Green EU review (7)
7    Tennis star views around centre of Wimbledon (5)
8    It will keep you up at night (8)
10    Book actors missing parking around hairdresser’s (13)
13    Doc uses new and old currency (7)
18    Some hermitage is harbouring hostess (6)
19    It’s so rude lifting jumper in error (7)
23    Double-talk! (8)
26    Fliers for short volume with non-U letter (7)
29    Wild crocus is found (6)
30    Building material going like a bomb (6)
32    Spenser’s greeting to Stan Laurel, off and on (5)
36    Frozen princess turned over just the same (4)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on 20 April. 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 2746, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.