Guardian Cryptic 30,126

by Harpo · Thursday 1 October 2026

Harpo’s Thursday puzzle is a lively mix of anagrams, sound-alikes and neat little containers, with plenty of smooth surfaces. 18 across has a beautifully disguised anagram, and 23 across is a groaner of a pun that’s worth working out. Medium difficulty overall, with one very obscure answer in the bottom right that you may need the crossing letters for.

• 5 Across: Standing of data science around university (6)
• 6 Across: Book every twelve months (6)
• 9 Across: Unfortunately, enemy hides unknown catalyst (6)
• 10 Across: Throws back Republican votes for introducing force (8)
• 11 Across: Villain, one in the past (4)
• 12 Across: Excellent but anal eccentric burying live rodents, essentially (10)
• 13 Across: Brilliant! Again paid out grant charges (11)
• 18 Across: Following encryption, mail hacker successfully (4,1,5)
• 21 Across: Caught initially abusing cocaine and heroin (4)
• 22 Across: Fresh idea involving celebrated revolutionary part of Mass (5,3)
• 23 Across: Lounge suite picked up after losing online address (6)
• 24 Across: Statement withdrawing recurring theme, right (6)
• 25 Across: Sign as percussion instrument delivered (6)
• 1 Down: Admiralty finally rearms bombs around old warship (4,4)
• 2 Down: Your escort engages government department (6)
• 3 Down: Displaying bottle, United supporter overturned attack (8)
• 4 Down: Triumphant cry of ‘Mistake!’ rued, retracted to an extent (6)
• 5 Down: State checks exposed financial reserves for 24 hours (6)
• 7 Down: Not much time left to open low-calorie beer (6)
• 8 Down: Questionable climber atop rocks (11)
• 14 Down: Sanctimonious rogues protecting soldiers who’ll goad animals (8)
• 15 Down: Devil close to ensnaring large English Dickensian protagonist (8)
• 16 Down: Identify digit (6)
• 17 Down: Discipline son Henry amidst calm (6)
• 19 Down: Base jokes causing fits (6)
• 20 Down: Old country mum caught hen? (6)