Cryptic crossword No 474

Thought this was going to be tough but it gradually unfolded. Nice puzzle. Favourites include 6a, 9a, 11a, 19a, 24a, 5d, 7d, 17d. Have you got a small typo in the clue for 10a? I was trying to work it into the wordplay but concluded it perhaps shouldn't be there. Couple of queries in Reply. Spoilers in Reply.

This might be a bit picky and did not prevent solve but does 'Hearts' need an 'of' or similar in 2a - will bugger up surface but not sure it stands alone as an instruction? Likewise is 'in London' sufficient to define 15a? Might be or does it need an 'it's'? And is ANTE a better? A bet, yes, but I haven't encountered it as a better. Very enjoyable, 7up, so many thanks and well done fitting in your mini theme which helped me with several solutions once I saw it. PM

Very nice, 7Up - as with your previous one, this has lots of fun, inventive clueing. Favourites for me were 10a, 11a, 8d, 14d

That was a very enjoyable crossword, obviously made a bit easier by the special instructions. Two obscure words in 11a and 8d, but the wordplay was clear enough to avoid problems. Yes, I suppose the grammar of 2d is a bit iffy, but the clue is so bally clever that I think you're unhesitatingly forgiven. A favourite, along with 20a, 5d and 7d, 22d.

Good fun 7upislemonade, thanks. Tricky in places but definitely got a leg-up once I decode the special instructions. Particularly liked 15A, 19A, 23A, 5D and 7D 22D.

Thanks 7up. I did this over a few short sessions and found it to have a good range of difficulty in the clues, although a couple of definitions were beyond my GK (inevitably). Particularly admired 6a, 27a, 6d, 7d & 25d among others. One query/quibble which I’ll put in reply, but overall an enjoyable solve.