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Forget 26d, I now see that. So just 7 and the other across clues if possible.

Apologies, now seen 7 as well.

Thanks to all for the end-game info. If resorting to EXCEL is required then I really can't be a***d😒

Before I embark on the endgame, can I just tidy up with a parsing for 7d.

Contents of fox hunt servant’s collection perhaps better not completely drunk (6) ?A??U?

I don't want to give all the letters I have as 5 of the 6 are crossers, so it would be basically giving the answer. Instead I've just given the 2nd and 5th.

I'm not even sure of the definition as Chambers just has it as being a noun related to a 3 letter word that, yes you can drink out of, so perhaps "drunk" is part of it but that's about as far as I get.

Cancel what I said about being able to drink out of the 3 letter word.

Brendan, in 7d. "better" is a verb, + "drunk" minus last letter. See all the definitions of the first 3 letters to understand the answer.

Oh my, you know if anyone was to ask me if I'd read all the definitions I would have confidently, and honestly, have said a resounding "yes"!

Even after you told me it was there I looked again and still missed it - what is wrong with me!!

I should have got "better" but, not knowing where the defention started and ended, it sort of got lost in the sentence and I've never come across that 4 letter "drunk".

Still, every oversight and error was of my own making, so no complaints.

Thank you very much Mattrom:-)

A few parsing questions:
10a Local nameless lover?
38a I have the edge of would?
42a Footnote noted. The rest eludes me.
8d Two options for the unch? Can't find the foul.

Many thanks!

Yes there is a way. The column has a unique characteristic

Thanks, Melbourne. I can see one characteristic that might imply efficiency.

Regarding my request for help immediately above: I've parsed 8d. A minute after posting, of course.