Guardian 25514

[hankir]

I have finished it but have questions on two.

51A. Reason for cancellation at Newmarket, say? (5)

The answer is one of the theme words but what is the reference to Newmarket?

2D. I go round Belgravia etc with Sam (as he said) (9)
S?I?E???R

The answer seems to be rotator (I go round) but what is the connection to rest of the clue.

Any explanation appreciated.

[Farrnorth]

Good morning hankir and a Merry Christmas to you.
I have SWIVELLER for 2d. I think CHEROOT is right for 15a and SMIKE for 12a but I don't have 1a yet so may be wrong. Can you give me 1a please, 20a & 38d too. Thanks What is 51a?

[AHearer]

2d: Swiveller: SW1 (postcode)+Veller (Sam Weller)

[bibblebub]

anyone know what the theme words are?

Newmarket could refer to the racecourse or the card game or a coat (never heard of that one before)

[mikey4444]

Dickensian characters

[bibblebub]

oh right

51a might be NOGGS in that case - no gg's - Newman Noggs in Nicholas Nickleby

[Farrnorth]

Well done bibblebub. Now will someone give me the answer to 1a please. First thing it was in London and Paris, getting software in early (4,2,5) I understand it refers to a Dickens novel - but which one?

[sandyRoe]

Best of Times?

[sandyRoe]

From first line of 'A tale of two cities'.

[bibblebub]

that is an anagram of 'soft' inside 'betimes'

[Farrnorth]

OK but why? The only thing I can find is that apparently Dickens always wrote early in the day.

[sandyRoe]

The opening statement in the book was, as I remember, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...'. So, the first thing mentioned was 'best of times'

[bibblebub]

As sandyRoe says: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

[skooter]

51 NOGGS no geegee's
2 Swiveller (dickens)

[skooter]

51 NOGGS No gee-gee's

[hankir]

Thank you all.
I am in the US.
Just woke up and got the explanation.
Would have never guessed SW1. Although I figured out the answer.

Merry Christmas to all of you and also Happy New Year!