This week's DevoComment comes from Martin Liptrot, whose blog is also a quiz! Make sure you read until the end for the chance to win...
Last week's Grand National Weights - when the provisional list of runners for the National Hunt season’s showcase is declared – reminded me to check on progress for next year's Liverpool Metro Mayor elections, where so far only one stable has openly declared an interest.
As a political pundit and tipster, I thought I'd step out of the shadows, put my stubby pen away, and let you have a glance at my form card for May 2017's big race.
The names of the runners have been poorly disguised, and it is worth reminding ourselves that whoever secures a ride in Labour's colours will go off at odds shorter than any Ruby Walsh/Willie Mullins pairing ever have.
Equally interesting, is the persistent rumour the Labour stable management team may still declare this race as Fillies and Mares only.
The only declared runner to date is Cunard Chief. He will be the top weight and is attracting the early money, but faces two hurdles to success. He is already declared as a runner in an early contest and would have to explain his decision to change courses, and while his popularity is strong in front of the main stands, out in the country this hurdler is still unproven.
The only course and distance winner likely to appear is Bizzie Body. Likely to be heavily backed having already won across the whole of the course, she would be a popular choice but, like Cunard Chief, is already committed to defending her title in an earlier contest.
Maiden’s Progress is being talked up as a possible contender. Despite having won convincingly across the water, her stable are known to be thinking about the long term future as it is widely anticipated her home course will be closed down in a forthcoming review.
Another likely runner– though looking to wear the colours of another stable - is Welfare Mistress, though her popularity and appetite for the battle is uncertain after a spectacular unseating in last year’s races.
Other possible entries include Jezza’s Surprise, an unknown entity who enjoys loud support on the left rails but with little or no pedigree at this distance; Brookie on Broadway was tipped to run in an earlier trial but pulled up lame before the contest; Lonely Isolationist makes a lot of noise on the right and while his stable lad is probably a favourite to receive the ribbon for “best turned out”, he has no realistic chance on this course; and Respublic’s Raver has moved his training stable to the area but will also struggle.
As with the Aintree Grand National, so much depends on the day. The great race is often won by an outsider, a true unknown, a housewives favourite, a proper stayer who surprises all by safely clearing the 30th hurdle and races for home.
The full list of runners is expected in the summer after the Referendum Stakes. There’s hope for some of us still.
So who are Martin's Mersey racehorses?
Email your answers to devo@connectpa.co.uk. The first entry correctly naming all eight and pulled out of the hat at 12pm noon on Thursday 10th March will receive a bottle of champagne!