Working through the word play of some clues it seemed that easier ways to get there had been missed in favour of rather more devious ones. Having said this I'm sure biffers will have biffed and moved on without noticing. I found the crossing clues at 17 difficult as I missed the obvious 'pursuit' which would have eased 17ac. Some others had fair but slightly unusual vocabulary. I expect 'the pros' to romp home but will be interested in how everyone else fares.
ACROSS
1. Stalling - using delaying tactics. Stand (STALL - as in market stall - a table/stand for displaying goods), in (IN), gan(G)way.
5. Mail - letters. Homophone (read out) of male.
9. Llama - pack animal. Monk (LAMA) astride large (L).
10. Tipster - cryptic definition - someone who gives advice to people who bet.
11. Inn - pub. Popular (IN), name (N).
12. Hey Presto - as if by magic. Anagram (in motion) of HES POETRY.
13. Empire - realm. Politician (MP) in Ireland (EIRE).
15. Scream - card. Present (S), best (CREAM).
17. Harmonica - one (instrument) that is blown. Girl (there could be thousands - this one is MONICA), on instrument (again there are lots - this one is HARp - having foresaken piano - no 'P').
19. Pin - double definition. Hold down - pin to to floor, flagstick is the pin on a golf green.
20. Baronet - titled man. Right (R) and individual (ONE) to be accepted by club (BAT).
21. Idler - one avoiding work. Anagram (eccentric) of RILED.
22. Yo-yo - toy. Boy twice (bOY bOY - losing face - without the first letter, knocked back - backwards).
23. Top-notch - excellent. Highest (TOP), score (NOTCH). Hands up all those who biffed top marks.
DOWN
1. Saltire - cross. Sailor (SALT) over anger (IRE).
2. Again - one more time. A (A), profit (GAIN).
3. Leatherbound - like some books. Anagram (ordered) of the man (HE) plus ROUND TABLE.
4. Natty - smart. At (AT) and (T)heatre in New York (NY).
6. Artiste - entertainer. Cunning (ART), is (IS), the heartless ThE.
7. Largo - slow. Learner (L), Jason's ship (ARGO).
8. Appreciation - double definition.
14. Portray - paint a picture of. Beam (RAY of sunshine) supporting left hand side of ship (PORT).
16. Monarch - head of state. Working (ON) to stop demonstration (MARCH).
17. Hobby - double definition. Any of several small Old World falcons, esp the European Falco subbuteo, formerly used in falconry. An activity pursued in spare time for pleasure or relaxation.
18. Intro - prelude. Keen in - INTO covering (R)ousing.
19. Pilot - guide. The Italian (IL) aboard vessel (POT).
ACROSS
1. Stalling - using delaying tactics. Stand (STALL - as in market stall - a table/stand for displaying goods), in (IN), gan(G)way.
5. Mail - letters. Homophone (read out) of male.
9. Llama - pack animal. Monk (LAMA) astride large (L).
10. Tipster - cryptic definition - someone who gives advice to people who bet.
11. Inn - pub. Popular (IN), name (N).
12. Hey Presto - as if by magic. Anagram (in motion) of HES POETRY.
13. Empire - realm. Politician (MP) in Ireland (EIRE).
15. Scream - card. Present (S), best (CREAM).
17. Harmonica - one (instrument) that is blown. Girl (there could be thousands - this one is MONICA), on instrument (again there are lots - this one is HARp - having foresaken piano - no 'P').
19. Pin - double definition. Hold down - pin to to floor, flagstick is the pin on a golf green.
20. Baronet - titled man. Right (R) and individual (ONE) to be accepted by club (BAT).
21. Idler - one avoiding work. Anagram (eccentric) of RILED.
22. Yo-yo - toy. Boy twice (bOY bOY - losing face - without the first letter, knocked back - backwards).
23. Top-notch - excellent. Highest (TOP), score (NOTCH). Hands up all those who biffed top marks.
DOWN
1. Saltire - cross. Sailor (SALT) over anger (IRE).
2. Again - one more time. A (A), profit (GAIN).
3. Leatherbound - like some books. Anagram (ordered) of the man (HE) plus ROUND TABLE.
4. Natty - smart. At (AT) and (T)heatre in New York (NY).
6. Artiste - entertainer. Cunning (ART), is (IS), the heartless ThE.
7. Largo - slow. Learner (L), Jason's ship (ARGO).
8. Appreciation - double definition.
14. Portray - paint a picture of. Beam (RAY of sunshine) supporting left hand side of ship (PORT).
16. Monarch - head of state. Working (ON) to stop demonstration (MARCH).
17. Hobby - double definition. Any of several small Old World falcons, esp the European Falco subbuteo, formerly used in falconry. An activity pursued in spare time for pleasure or relaxation.
18. Intro - prelude. Keen in - INTO covering (R)ousing.
19. Pilot - guide. The Italian (IL) aboard vessel (POT).