DT cryptic 25646

[lizwhiz1]

Last 4 and getting nowhere!

20a She is a beautiful Italian (8) P_ _ _E_L_
26a How many saw contest in the Seychelles? (7)
_ _ _ _ _T_
21d A pair of males supporting sailors in Holland (6)
_ _ N _ _ _
24d Abraham died in retirement (4) A _ _ _

Thanks

[pbeach]

20a Isabella?
26a Seventy
21d Arnhem
24d Abed

[pbeach]

Whats 8a?

[lizwhiz1]

can you explain why?? I thought of abed but why died?

[lizwhiz1]

8a first rate investments=capital

[mazie]

20a IsaBella ?

[lizwhiz1]

If it is isabella then I have 9d wrong. Jailbirds excercised under compulsion(11) _O_S_R_ _ _ E _

[pbeach]

> can you explain why?? I thought of abed but why died?

Not 100% sure, i.e. somebody else might come up with a better reason. But Abed and retirement work :-)

[piggling]

Abe (short for abraham) d - died. In retirement - abed

[Catron]

Abe = Abraham
D = died
Retirement = abed

[Catron]

9 down is constrained

[lizwhiz1]

pbeach
can you explain 'arnhem'

[pbeach]

can you explain 'arnhem'
A pair of males supporting sailors in Holland

A - RN (Sailors) - HE -M (A pair of males)

[Catron]

I know I'm not pbeach but:

A
pair of males = HE & M
Sailors = RN

[lizwhiz1]

thanks SO much to all of you. That was very helpful.Its bad when you have the answer but still can't see why its right!

[Strix]

Arnhem is a really cr*p answer, I had it as the only possible answer and despite everybody's explanations of the solution it is a really weak clue.

[lizwhiz1]

thanks- makes me feel better! Have not done cryptics for years... and now feel a bit lost. I looked at that for ages after it was explained and knew I would still have never got it from scratch! Thanks!!