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Tnx Jono,

Had not heard of Ambler, the author.

Next, 75, 16D: Princess gained heart of king with magic touch. ANS: Ida

Parse please .

Midas had a golden touch

Tnx Jono

Next, 76, 10A: Unqualified, degree held back is seemingly recovered. ANS: Out and about.

Parse please.

Out and out means unqualified (in Chambers) and there's BA, degree - the latter is reversed, held back, so Ab. Out and About, seemingly recovered.

Tnx Malone,

Did not know out and out meant unqualified.

Colmm, thanks. I too didn't know Out and Out, unqualified, until I checked Chambers. I suppose something could be an Out and Out Success (or failure!) - not much of an example, but I'm multi-tasking!

Next, 79, 20A: Cardinal , say, framing endless paean in verse? ANS: Rhymed.

Parse please.

Cardinals wear RED, but it seems a stretch to equate them. Around HYM(n).

Cardinal can simply mean “Of a deep scarlet colour”. I’m sure I’ve seen that used before.