Cryptic crossword No 1,969

Thanks Cigogne, good stuff. Faves include 6a, 9a, 13a, 17a, 26a, 2d (COTD? But spent far too long on parsing this ... initially trying to work in a Cockney "do"), 3d, 5d & 12d. Spoilers ...

Thanks Cigogne, I enjoyed this. My top picks were 9a, 13a, 25a, 26a, 3d, and 12d. I revealed 10a, 19a, and 6d; I needed your notes to parse 17a, 4d, and 24d, all of which I guessed from the crossers.

There are some really good clues here Cigogne, 6a, 13a, 25a, 5d, and 23d being my picks. For the most part I agree with Fez's initial observations (including 21a) but the recast clues are much tighter and the puzzle is better for them as a result... a couple of other personal observations follow but thanks for a nice crossword!

Thanks Cigogne - a very good puzzle. A little too tough for me in the end, needing a few reveals (21a, 25a, 6d, 20d) and some crossword solver help (10a, 4d) but enjoyable nonetheless. Favourites: 1a, 6a, 17a, 8d, 12d and 24d (notwithstanding Fez’s fair point). Spoilers…