2618: Chain gang

Eleven unclued entries may be connected from 38 to 17, their unchecked letters spelling out CHAIN’S PAIRS, WE AGREE?

        Across

   1    Maximum animosity reported (4)

   3    Vineyard by cross (4)

   5    Losing starter, rubbish service is behind (6)

   9    Again communicate on mobile in van (10)

16    Mostly free car port (6)

18    Shocking accompaniment to seizure? (5)

20    Dull as a lake? (7)

22    Bill lying about clear English dramatist (7)

24    Tosca libretto nails level of excellence (7)

26    Lies about lines in peeled paint (5)

28    Not wanting tax, at leisure? (3,4)

31    Defector, note, very upset with EU (7)

33    Capital near the bombing (7)

37    Corner exposed hacks (5)

39    Stone I found in demolished hotel (6)

41    Central heating – source new parts having stripped defective timer (10)

42    Nags about extremely handy local forge (6)

43    Sign implied by ‘Ladies’? (4)

         Down

   1    Chances for joining drunk, one between tots (13)

   2    Personal servant denied opening the soul (5)

   3    Stamp underneath tin weight (6)

   4    Unionist in America left habitual drink (5)

   6    Prod around radius bone (7)

   7    Evoke limitless bliss (6)

11    Mob meant hope for pharaoh (9)

12    Bishop ragged the verger in zest (5,8)

13    Benefit not a little dismal (8)

19    Obsessive, say, over mostly weak painkiller (9)

21    Part with terribly spiteful woman (3-5)

23    Worked out act Bob almost stops (7)

27    Nick caught with grass in school (7)

30    Picked up cold pod (6)

32    Ruin reached, wife repeatedly leaving count (6)

34    Bravo, gents, maybe May’s first flower (5)

35    Weaselly sort cheers topless girl up (5)

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