| FIGHTER | Figure someone ill-disposed must take out a contender |
| RASTA | Dreaded figure, someone like Boris making comeback |
| AFISHOUTOFWATER | Someone ill at ease, a type that's got hooked? (1,4,3,2,5) |
| RHEUMATIC | Mentioned two areas indoors for someone ill from damp? |
| IMPALE | Possible confession of someone ill, shut in as before |
| UNSETTLE | Make someone ill at ease (8) |
| CANDID | 9, a contender, ate out (6) |
| XAVIER | A contender to be a Catholic saint (6) |
| AVERSE | Ill-disposed to a bit of a song, perhaps? (6) |
| BRANDO | "I could have been a contender" is a famous line spoken by which actor? (6) |
| RACING | Being a contender, Bill boxing? (6) |
| ASPIRANT | Trains pa to become a contender (8) |
| ONTHEWATERFRONT | "I coulda been a contender" movie |
| INCONSIDERATE | Selfish Indian opener is a contender, surprisingly |
| COMPLETE | Total Recall finally enters to be a contender |
| COULD | "I _____'ve been a contender!" |
| DARKHORSE | A contender of unknown quality and hidden potential? (4,5) |
| ENEMY | Three points awarded to May without a contender (5) |
| COMPETITOR | Price motto: Could have been a contender (10) |
| COMPETENT | Is able to be a contender with no trumps on the cards (9) |
