Cryptic crossword No 2,770

Superb!

Thanks Henri, that was fun with my favourites being 12a, 14a, 1d, 3d, 7d (COTD), & 19d. I guessed the nho 11a & couldn't parse 23a. More in reply.

Well that was a gruelling 75 minutes and I still fell slightly short...

Really good. You have a knack for making your clues fairly transparent and straightforward, and yet chewy enough to be satisfying. Eg much of the NW corner held me up for a while, but once I got them they're all clear in hindsight and I'm kicking myself for not getting them quicker. Favourites 8a, 11a, 24a, 19d - and the very clever hidden theme (which I didn't spot until the grid was completely filled). A couple of minor quibbles...

Thanks, Henri. All made sense apart from the nho 6d which defeated me - both solution and parse. 9a, 24a, 3d, 19d and 25d my extended podium. Thanks. PM