The sort of beast the solver sounds like (3)

direction: down
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Source: Sunday Times 4753 https://times-xwd-times.livejournal.com/1772181.html

See replies for a hint, the answer, and an explanation

#puzzles #crosswords #CrosswordPuzzles #CrypticCrosswords #CrypticCrosswordPuzzles

EWE

[this post gives you the answer without any explanation to help you interpret the clue by yourself]