Who will rise to win 2018’s Mercury prize?

With the Arctic Monkeys, noel Gallagher and Lily Allen all in contention, the shortlist for this year’s hyundai Mercury Prize — awarded to the UK’s best album — isn’t short of big names.

Announced yesterday, it’s the most mainstream since the days when Simply Red and Sting were getting nods.

There’s still variety, though, with rap and jazz represented and recognition for Wolf Alice, who struck a much-needed blow for traditional guitar music with Vision Of A Life.

Reinforcing the move to more established artists, but contradicting the award’s supposed objective of promoting newcomers, only three debuts make this summer’s cut: soul singer Jorja Smith, grime act novelist and multi- artist collective everything Is Recorded.

As ever, there are notable omissions, with George ezra, Tracey Thorn and Plan B absent, and no place for The horrors’ ambitious fifth album, V.

Gallagher and the Arctic Monkeys are front-runners, while Florence + The Machine’s confessional high As hope would be a worthy winner. But the judges, who include ella eyre and Marcus Mumford, can confound expectations, so don’t be surprised if an unheralded contender triumphs on September 20.