This crossword No. 26178 clues and answers were published on Sat 08 Feb 2014 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Prize Crossword No. 26178 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – A difficult crossword book : HARDTIMES
6-across – Heroines — pursued without energy : DASH
8-across – Raise pincers back to front: where does one get those from? : SUPPLIER
9-across – Instruction to players in northern team when one short : PRESTO
10-across – Criminal kidnaps extremely naive heroine : BENNET
11-across – Maybe pet, having got dry, needs drink : AIREDALE
12-across – Did a little jogging, almost free : RANSOM
15-across – One said to be dead cross about love receiving answer : DOORNAIL
16-across – Gave news of my divorce? : IMPARTED
19-across – Author brings a number to the Guardian : AUSTEN
21-across – A possibility of acquiring a daughter? : ADOPTION
22-across – Man judge hopes will swing : JOSEPH
24-across – Poet has extra line for heroine : ELLIOT
25-across – Dwarf’s back home wearing shortened swimming costume : MANNIKIN
26-across – Heroine wanted to speak to Parliament : WOOD
27-across – Drink bowl of soup noisily; this 1 of 5 a day? : NECTARINE
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – See 26 : HOUSE
2-down – Welshman holding cask does not reveal content : REPINES
3-down – Plot development in second part of novel : TWIST
4-down – Heroine loses a ring in wild country : MORLAND
5-down – Wonderful month goes with a big bang : SUPERNOVA
6-down – Not all clothes end in tatters, coming from China : DRESDEN
7-down – Was judge burning to talk to underling? : SATELLITE
13-down – One plated up, giving off aroma including herb : ARMADILLO
14-down – Woman heartily contrite, suffering a lot of weight : METRICTON
17-down – Not being pure, program gave false answer : APPLIED
18-down – Such a worker dealing with admin extremely crisply? : DYNAMIC
20-down – As welcome to elite force, I’m passed up raw flesh to eat : SASHIMI
22-down – Military rulers some days need appreciation : JUNTA
23-down – Heroine’s parking on the grass : PRICE
This crossword has in total 30 where 16 are across and 14 are down.