This crossword No. 26399 clues and answers were published on Fri 24 Oct 2014 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 26399 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – In exercise, exalt bishop — and thank the Lord! : PRAISEBE
5-across – Dance has the talent, if you 16 : CANCAN
9-across – A soft fabric binding linen at first, in sewing technique : APPLIQUE
10-across – Pure beginner? : NOVICE
12-across – Plant ending in posy behind first of flowers picked by Eric Cantona, perhaps? : MANUFACTORY
15-across – Men in leggings for riders : CHAPS
17-across – See 21 : CENTURION
18-across – Scottish author nevertheless Samoan at the end, by the way : STEVENSON
19-across – At that point, gathered’s gathered : THERE
20-across – Book learned in Oxford, only covers erased : OBLITERATED
24-across – Fashion worn by companion in babyish sort of clothes, initially : SHABBY
25-across – Promise clothes with identically matching tops for bikinis etc : SWIMWEAR
26-across – Model, a dolly? : SITTER
27-across – Novel unread, it went : URINATED
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Drug dealer providing agriculturalist with abnormal growth, say? : PHARMACIST
2-down – Those bits that are extra mature, snapped off externally : APPENDAGES
3-down – Challenging body : STIFF
4-down – Lively man, children’s entertainer? : BOUNCYCASTLE
6-down – Soldier shackling a young rogue, one solving others’ problems? : AGONYAUNT
7-down – See 24 : CHIC
8-down – Christmas prize giver, gutted : NOEL
11-down – Submarine part defrauding tug? : CONNINGTOWER
13-down – Banker close to golfer, one getting green fee on the house? : RIVERTRENT
14-down – Into bottom, bottom-pinching man with pretty woman aroused : ENGENDERED
16-down – Experience an illusion having date with a large drink : SEEDOUBLE
21-down – Old commander in love with unit or wayward battalion, ultimately : ROMAN
22-down – Goddess has life, if you 16 : ISIS
23-down – Don’t eat seconds in lard : FAST
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.