The unclued lights can all follow the same word, which is hidden in the grid and should be shaded. (Two of the phrases take the definite article.)
Across
1 Pack slung across river boat (5)
10 Trounce principal predator (10)
11 Cover plate at last with prawn salad (6)
12 Brother caught in evil turning saint (7)
14 French tuck into frog, all I cooked (6)
16 European medic overturned conventional standards (4)
17 Let oneself down, as muscles relax? (6)
22 Weaken worship, delaying verse (8)
25 Sleeps around the whole time (4)
26 Such a war returns beneficial result? Not one (4)
28 Amenable to parking car (4-3)
30 Ceased to fancy Pip’s jacket (4,4)
34 Lion for one, old, not seen so much around (6)
35 Himalayan goat’s teeth are ground down (4)
36 Summon setter back for medicine (6)
38 Toad’s way with pig (4,3)
39 One blooming talking newspaper article (6)
40 About to drive away in safe toy (10)
Down
1 Reference work so keeping a user confused (9)
2 Princess ruled India? (4)
4 Browsers give mischief, sad to relate (7)
5 Staple dinner that is followed by another (6,4)
6 Functions involving personnel in holy places (7)
7 Farm provides portion of income essentially (5)
8 Regularly coax an idiot suffering chemical reaction (9)
9 Prophet’s endless years in leisurely walk (5)
13 Gallery with chain-link fencing for housing areas (7)
18 Girl’s turn to avoid lip gloss (10)
20 Taking the long view, bad hotel keeps record closed (9)
23 To clean up soiled rag, put in river (9)
27 Old island’s shape has no appeal (7)
29 Stone urn’s dreadful contents hauled up (7)
31 Joseph’s mum has discomfort in both hands (6)
32 Cut grass in long narrow area, almost miles (5)
33 No aspiration to set some of Bard’s scenes here? (5)
37 Of old know card game, not hard (4)
A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 29 September. 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 2720, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
Download a printable version here.
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