Cryptic crossword No 1,619

Thanks Lohengrin. Much like your previous one, I got about 70% of the way through before resorting to a few reveals. Lots of great constructions but just a bit too much trickery and difficult synonyms for my modest solving brain. One general point is that the grid is particularly unfriendly as 15/26 lights have an unchecked first letter. Favourites: 9a, 11a (equal COTD), 13a (equal COTD), 23a and 17d.