Listener 4159 - Crovvword by Pointer

[starwalker]

Some lovely clues have brought me to the point where I just have to find the third item to illustrate, and I feel a need to rest. Thanks (in advance) Pointer. You have enlightened me and revived long-lost lessons.

[tilbee]

To avoid misleading anyone, the hint is accurate now I have fully worked this out. BlackHugh I agree, nothing was given away - just encouragement to those of us who wondered if we were on the right lines.Thanks again.

[JackDeCrow]

Ditto from me!

[Zabadak]

And the zabadak grumpy award goes to....

[failedagain]

... whoever got that previous message removed. It wasn't abusive or offensive; it just disagreed with what some earlier posters said.

[Cruncher]

A tough final step I thought. Required me to figure out the final word, create a second grid consisting only of entries of the relevant letters and then stare hard before I figured out where it was. Not for the faint-hearted but all very fair!

[turnerjmw]

Failedagain, I asked for my own post to be removed. I stand by what it said, but decided I don't wish to upset what seems to be a happy (if to my mind misguided and self-deluding) ship.

Zabadak, I fear I've disqualified myself with my post's removal!

[Zabadak]

I agree with failedagain - the author of the removed entry has an honourable history here and a valid point of view. His remarks were neither abusive nor vindictive, just lacking the jocularity which marks most contributions to this sit. For the record a) it wasn't me, and b) I'm haven't been helped in the least by the many hints dropped along the way in comments up to now - the main contention of the deleted comment. Because I'm not competing, I've stopped trying to unscrew the inscrutable on this one - light refuses to dawn.

[Zabadak]

Mallord William - maybe you qualify on two counts now! Please stay around - this debate needs a corrective form time to time before it starts handing out diagrams.

[AndrewG-S]

zabadak cup: Going was easy this week in the early stages, but becoming firm to tough in the final straight. zabadak on Grouchy led quickly from the outset. Moody, this week ridden by drb, made an early but rather weak challenge. A late sprint and Attercop (ridden by turnerjmw and running well on the solid ground) came from nowhere to take the lead, only to be disqualified - leaving zabadak to pull away from the field and win by two clear posts.
PS: as I fill in the grid to put into the post I am reminded that I have to write the word under the grid which appears to me to be an entirely unnecessary final step

[Zabadak]

Blimey - what were the odds on that?!

[trux]

4/1 drB ; 7/1 turnerjmw ; 20/1 attercop (Zabadak was 9/4 favourite) - and you only had to ask either CJ or Dead-Eye Dick and they would have told you (in advance) the correct Trifecta combination

[Ruthrobin]

turnerjmw has long been my favourite in any race and is sure to win by a few lengths, by the sheer quality of the breed so, trux, sorry but the combination was in the wrong order this time (does it have to be in order?)

[dr b]

"drb, made an early but rather weak challenge".....

I will dedicate myself to doing better... training begins today - snapping at the wife, kicking the dog... As God is my witness, no one will out-grump me again!.

[easterfool]

Well- not up to standard this time - that's me not the crossword. Solved the clues, found the unclued answers, found the message (like that), found the thematic highlights.
Bang - brick wall time - Can't make sense of the message or the title - and the thread has got me well and truly tangled. I have 3 possible 6-letter words ( 2 begin with s, one with v) - but they, BRB and Wikipedia are getting me nowhere. Wish I knew how many letters are needed. Wish my brain would stop whirling!

[Coalminers]

Did anyone see the Listeners on Only Connect last night. They did very well again. I was actually able to answer one of the questions that they couldn't for a change. What are the chances of that! I bet they know that answer after 4159!

[Mysterons]

Yes, what an amazing coincidence that was Coalminers, a pity the puzzle hadn't appeared earlier, but it wouldn't have changed the result.

I think 6 letters is a red herring easterfool, the message tells you how many you need.

[PDW1964]

I am relatively new to The Listener crossword ( have been doing the Times for some time though) and have managed to fill in the grid for this crossword. However I am struggling to know what to do next! Having read the previous posts , I assume that answers are not to be given on here but could someone perhaps send me a private message as to how to proceed so that I can get into these crosswords a little better. Many thanks

[Coalminers]

PDW1964....I'd be quite happy to give you some pointers if you supply me with an email address

[AndrewG-S]

PDW1964, welcome to the world of Listener solving - careful it is a little addictive. If you drop me an email on [email protected] I can give some gentle nudges.