This crossword No. 9558 clues and answers were published on Tue 19 Dec 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9558 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Husband – wife : SPOUSE
4-across – An ancient Mexican : AZTEC
7-across – Penthouse : LEANTO
8-across – Chess piece – stronghold : CASTLE
9-across – Run through – essay : STAB
10-across – Claptrap : NONSENSE
12-across – Newmarket classic race : CESAREWITCH
17-across – Avalanche : LANDSLIP
19-across – Republic of Ireland : EIRE
20-across – It erases – best of three games of cards : RUBBER
21-across – No longer in one’s prime : PASTIT
22-across – Taking – offence : THEFT
23-across – Cognac : BRANDY
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Doubter : SCEPTIC
2-down – Large volume – public transport : OMNIBUS
3-down – Rascal : SCOUNDREL
4-down – Accumulate : AMASS
5-down – Huge – disaster struck this ship : TITANIC
6-down – Bright – ingenious : CLEVER
11-down – Journal : NEWSPAPER
13-down – Glorify – confer honour upon : ENNOBLE
14-down – Treachery : TREASON
15-down – Appal : HORRIFY
16-down – Red Bordeaux wine : CLARET
18-down – Perfume : SCENT
This crossword has in total 25 where 13 are across and 12 are down.