Spectator 2537

[tedsgran]

Parses please: (Wordplay may ignore one letter..)
8d Bird blocked by rook is wader (4) ...looks like TERN
36a Initially, Lionel backed this player surprisingly to get Ballon d'or (7) RONALDO

[novalis]

8 - Hern (Hen round R for rook)
36 - L(ionel) b(acked) - i.e. initially + Ronaldo is an anagram of ballon d'or.

[tedsgran]

Thank you novalis ...never seen hern for heron...

Some v interesting clues today!

[novalis]

I agree about the interesting clues but that is generally the case with Mr Magoo. One of my neighbours always refers to the local herons as herns. From what I understand it is a shortened form of hernshaw which itself is a corruption of heronshaw.

[johnpiper]

wow this is really tough!
22A Change of course made of metal (6) if this is one of those clues where we have to disregard one letter could this be ferous as an alternative spelling of ferrous?
39A Lad changing axis of his transporter (8, hyphened) rather stumped. all help gratefully received

[novalis]

22a - anagram of 'course'.
39a - The transporter is for equines. Change the X at the end to Y to get the person who looks after the equines.

[johnpiper]

Thats jolly clever re 39A thank you!