| DRAGOON | Doctor has an attempt to take on a cavalryman |
| POETRY | Short story writer has an attempt to produce verse |
| FINESSE | In card play, an attempt to take a trick with a possible rather than definite winner, hoping to gain an extra trick |
| BIPED | One footing it, perhaps, in an attempt to take exercise (5) |
| GIRO | Benefit payment an attempt to take in the taxman, once |
| TACKLE | Fishing gear including floats and hooks collectively; or, an attempt to take control of the ball in sport (6) |
| BATHE | Take to water, about to abandon attempt to take in air |
| SHOOTER | One who has an attempt at goal that rolls along the ground |
| BILLYGOAT | William has an attempt at making butter |
| TRAVESTY | Attempt to take an undergarment for a sham (8) |
| OVERBALANCE | Old word a cavalryman used for "take a tumble." |
| DRAGONS | For a cavalryman, it's nothing to capture a fire-breathing monster (7) |
| FREELANCE | It's nothing for a cavalryman to take up this sort of writing |
| TRAVEL | Go on a journey, with time to take on a French composer (6) |
| TOTAL | It's a lot for an alto to take on a tango (5) |
| TREATY | Agreement to attempt to take food inside |
| TORNADOBELT | Bloater? Don't attempt to take to swirly weather area (7,4) |
| SENTRYBOX | Using Japanese money attempt to take telly to shelter (6,3) |
| TRASHY | Sleazy attempt to take in part of a hot flick? (6) |
| STORM | Attempt to take a fortress, e.g. |
