Honestly this isn't any of my meddling...I expect the gamble on Lloyd Jones will be scuppered tomorrow because of it.
Earlier on this afternoon's
Bettingzone Market Moves:
1615: Bookmakers
William Hill say that one of the biggest Booker Prize gambles ever has propelled an unknown writer into the position of second favourite to win the literary world's top award, on the eve of the unveiling of this year's Man Booker Prize short-list.
With Ian McEwan's 'On Chesil Beach' having been installed as 3/1 favourite when the long-list was announced,
William Hill made
Lloyd Jones' 'Mister Pip' their 20/1 outsider of the 13 runners but after a surge of support for the New Zealand-based writer,
Hills have slashed his odds from 20/1 to 5/1 second favourite.
"We have seen an unprecedented gamble on this virtually unknown writer, whose first novel this is to be published in the UK," said
Hills spokesman Graham Sharpe.
"In a quarter of a century of Booker betting I cannot recall as spectacular a gamble before - Jones could even eclipse McEwan as clear favourite when the short-list is announced, and we could be looking at up to a six figure battering if the gamble pays off."