The Times - Cryptic - This puzzle, used in the Preliminary A round of the 2012 Times National Crossword Championship, was solved correctly within the time limit by 39% of the competitors. - October 31, 2012

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Clues Answers
Components of memory so haphazard? RANDOM
Construction industry employee, for instance, working beside motorway MASON
Expressions of surprise after curry's served in schools MADRASAHS
Family member invited at last surprisingly, about to make an entrance DISTANTRELATIVE
Fellow locked in the toilet THRONE
Fitness expert runs to new salon wearing gym shoe PERSONALTRAINER
Former morning paper EXAM
Fruit drink say seaman favoured wanting extra energy NECTARINE
Going off after a short time, maintaining steady pace TROTTING
He painted countryside view next to river LANDSEER
Host: 1100, do we hear? EMCEE
Humble beginnings for many Englishmen, accommodated in squalid room DEMEAN
In spout there's small crack JEST
Item of furniture oddly placed in show flat SOFA
Knave, perhaps, following wicked character FACECARD
Clues Answers
Little nipper going round alone, lost in Spanish city BARCELONA
Man in second row absorbed by play TOBY
Mirror writing style? JOURNALESE
Most affected by booze? End taking short nap TIPSIEST
Nasty accident curtailed couple's last performance on skates ICEDANCE
No atheists admit blasphemy OATH
Perhaps hunting family relationship, going to Australian address BLOODSPORT
Ready to drop bill during turbulent debate DEADBEAT
Strives towards getting top marks at end of week AIMSAT
Swimmer, one short of oxygen coming in to port SEANETTLE
Trouble as investor loses half million STORM
TV broadcast bombs: one's anger rising inside MINISERIES
Type of insect footballers spotted on field, say LEAFCUTTER
Wake up in prison STIR
Wildcat strike — leader of pickets dismissed OUNCE