Cryptic crossword No 450

True to my word, here I am Umpire to record my congratulations on a top notch puzzle. A nice test, very tightly clued, plenty of wit and a couple of lol's which I'll refer to in Reply to avoid spoilers here. Could have ticked almost everything for good clueing but to highlight the ones that stood out in a good crowd: 10a, 11a (!), 16a, 22a, 1d, 2d, 3d, 21d. 4d COTD. Really enjoyable.

Fantastic stuff! 19d probably the favourite, with 26d, 8a, 15a also being brilliant - well, as was the whole puzzle, really.

Nice one MP! I thought this was on the gentler end of your spectrum, I probably would have managed fine with wine not coffee. Although saying that it just hit the spot for a morning solve too, nicely tricky in a few places, and a few laughs along the way. Too many to list as good so I'll just nominate 4D as the best of an excellent set. One little quibble I'm unsure about the second def in 20A, can't quite see them as synonyms?

Hah, loved the surprise at the end - and a very nice puzzle all round. I'm not a very experienced setter and found some bits challenging, but all perfectly fair, creative and very clever (just too clever for me at points!). Particular favourites were 8a, 9a, 11a (lol), 17a (neat), 28a, 29a, 4d (wonderful), 6d, 18d, 19d (very clever and a great surface) and 21d (neat).

Very clever! Loved 2d, 4d and 21d but great clues overall. Thanks for the enjoyable puzzle.

Very nice! Especially 8a, 15a, 3d, 4d.