I've got all the answers bar 7 (a miracle!)
But now I need reassurance that 'omitted' letters are right. So far I have: AIPHBEML (across) AMPBFL (down) I can't seem to make any words or phrases from these letters which leads me to think some are wrong.
Also the extra 2/3 letters, do they spell out any words/phrases?
Sorry I always get stuck near the end!
The 2 and 3 letter abbreviations should tell you what they all represent (especially 1a, 43a and 19d) and there are 28 in all, until the 'odd one ... is replaced') leaving 27 (please, please make it happen Ripper).
So nearly there! Just need one more with extra letters, I'm pretty sure it's 43 across:Empress is posh equestrian outside home on colt (6) ?A?ina, this is assuming that I've got 38 down right: Court is just dismissing case (4) = QUAD.
I don't understand the wordplay for 8 down: Monomolecular coating derived from fatty substance ? OLEIC.
Thanks for being so patient with me I realise I'm a bit of a pain!