BBC Sports Personality of the Year

[stereoman]

Oh FFS...

1220: Ladbrokes have cut Monty Panesar from 33/1 to 20/1 for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, following a run of money.

The firm's spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: "We're putting the gamble down to an attempt by fans of the Northamptonshire spin king to pressure Fletcher into playing him in the third Test. If Monty was to win the award his coach would be under even more pressure to give him the nod.

"So far the majority of the wagers have been tens and twenties, but they're being staked in increasing numbers."

Darren Clarke remains the 1/5 favourite to land the award, whilst Zara Phillips is going in the wrong direction, out to 4/1 from 10/3.

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This year's award has easily the most open in years though so I suppose from an observer's view it's fairly interesting.

[thethommo]

Tony McCoy should have won this with ease, 11 time champion jock who puts his life at risk every day of the week and yet he receives no credit.

No doubt an overpaid, overrated icon will win it yet again.

[Hippy Dave]

Isn't he Irish? And this is for UK.

[stereoman]

Norn Iron (born in Moneyglass, County Antrim). He came third behind David Beckham and Paula Radcliffe back in 2002.

[stereoman]

Fell asleep yesterday afternoon and missed the fact that even more money's being bet on Joe Calzaghe. William Hill aren't offering the 'w/o Clarke & Phillips' market any more.

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1500: The money continues to support Joe Calzaghe to be named BBC sports personality of the year on Sunday.

The super-middleweight boxer's odds were trimmed yesterday and the same has happened today at both Ladbrokes and William Hill.

Calzaghe has been cut from 10/1 to 8/1 with Ladbrokes - he had been 16/1 at the start of the week - while Hill's have changed their price from 8s to 7s.

Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke remains the hot odds-on favourite, with Hill's reporting three bets of £1,000-plus in the last 24 hours.

Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: "Darren Clarke aside, Joe Calzaghe, is the only candidate who has attracted support on a daily basis in the fortnight leading up to the ceremony.

"After adding the IBF crown to his WBO title, the Welshman could not have done much more to win the award. He's definitely emerging as the dark horse."

Hill's Rupert Adams added: "The big money continues to come in for Darren Clarke to win but there is a definite Calzaghe bandwagon starting to gain momentum and at this rate we expect Joe to overtake Zara Phillips as the second favourite in the next day or so."

World three-day event champion Phillips has drifted out to 9/2 from 4/1 with Ladbrokes.

[stereoman]

Well the odds keep coming in on Joe Calzaghe but it won't mean a thing if he doesn't win...yesterday's Bettingzone Market Moves:

1245: Joe Calzaghe has been cut from 7/1 to 11/2 to win the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year Award, according to Ladbrokes, as the gamble on the Welshman shows no sign of letting up.

The WBO middleweight king had been available at 25/1 at the end of last month.

But a run of money at the beginning of December has left the 34 year-old hot on the heals of second favourite, Zara Phillips - a 9/2 chance.

Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: "At this rate there's every chance Calzaghe will go off as second favourite for the coveted prize.

"The boxer's price has crumbled even more than Jeff Lacy did."

[stereoman]

Last few words unless there's very late, late money and/or more moves. Yesterday's Bettingzone Market Moves:

1400: William Hill say a record million pounds (!?!?) has been gambled on the outcome of the BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Award for nthe first time - and golfer Darren Clarke is the clear choice of punters to lift the trophy.

"As far as our customers are concerned, the result has never been in doubt since Darren's emotional participation in the Ryder Cup," said William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe.

"It will be a major surprise if he is beaten after the majority of the million pounds gambled industry-wide was staked on him."

Hills make Clarke 1/4 favourite to win the trophy on Sunday night, with Joe Calzaghe and Zara Phillips 11/2 joint second favourites.

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William Hill's 'Without Darren Clarke' market:

Z Phillips 10/11
J Calzaghe 10/11
M Panesar 20/1
B Tweddle 20/1
A Murray 20/1
P Taylor 25/1
N Cooke 33/1
J Button 40/1
R Hatton 50/1

...well as long as I win my original bet, I don't care (I'd care a helluva lot damn more if I got at the 25/1 on Darren Clarke before the Ryder Cup though! ). C'MON JOE!!

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Good luck Stereoman.

How the hell did Walcott win the young personality of the year?

If thats the best youth we have here in the UK then its pretty damn worrying imo. What exactly has he done?

Went on the place to the World Cup and made a few substitute appearances here and there.

Absolute joke

[Swooperman]

I dont know anything about gymnastics but I did feel worried for that bird if she fell off


Clarke by the wlength of the Thames

[Swooperman]

Fcuk me, I've snivelled at both Hunter & Clarke, if they mention Ellis leaving Villa I'm going to flood the place

[Hippy Dave]

Pathetic. It's not even a sport.

[Swooperman]

I'm suprised at that I must be honest, & can only think that Clarkes comments about being uncomfortable with the circumstances cost him

[mrmuzeman]

Pathetic. It's not even a sport.

Yeah id go along with that, what a load of bollocks. All i can think is that all the old grannies who like royalty were ringing in or something cos who the fcuk else would

[Winrew]

European & World champ

Lost her mate a few days before the Worlds , she died in a tournament

Well Done Lass ...........

[GETT1NLOTS]

Originally Posted by Swooperman

I'm suprised at that I must be honest, & can only think that Clarkes comments about being uncomfortable with the circumstances cost him

That and the fact he is reported in todays NOTW as being with another woman already (one of his wife's friends who helped him through it). I have a tremendous amount of sympathy for Darren Clarke but 4 months??? That would have lost him the female vote today.