Thanks for Lille folks :>)
LOL - am I sure about the others, not totally but they have no clues to work from, what fits is one of a selection of possible answers, if you follow me. But all things being equal I 'think' they are right...... :>$
Oh balance I think it is probably racer (the snake) - that would fit with the C I'm fairly sure is there, but got nothing to fit with the R - so taking all factors into account I have decided I have made a mucking fuddle of the rest of the crossword and it is terminally unfixable LOL
Thanks for your help one and all :>)