06.10.10 - Katie Allen - The Bookseller
However, rival agency William Hill has made the Cape novel its odds-on favourite for the literary prize.
The prize, which will be awarded on Tuesday (12th October) has been "subject to one of the biggest Booker Prize gambles in recent history" according to Ladbrokes.
Spokesperson David Williams said: "The money for Tom McCarthy has set alarm bells ringing. He was the only name being backed and the other candidates are friendless. We've decided to take a breather after a frenzied 24 hours."
McCarthy had been a 7/1 chance to win throughout the summer and 2/1 at the start of the week. His odds collapsed to 4/6 before Ladbrokes suspended proceedings at 1.50 p.m. today (6th October).
Emma Donoghue's Room and Damon Galgut's In A Strange Place had been next in line with odds at 5/1, followed by Peter Carey's Parrot and Olivier in America at 6/1 and Andrea Levy's The Long Song at 9/1. Howard Jacobson's The Finkler Question was coming in last at 10/1.
However, at William Hill C is the 10/11 favourite after it cut the odds from 2/1. It is also offering 3/1 on In A Strange Place 9/2 on Room, 7/1 on Parrot and Olivier in America, and 10/1 on The Long Song’ and The Finkler Question.
William Hill spokesperson Graham Sharpe said: “C has been well backed for the Award since the longlist was announced but has only become odds-on favourite in the last 24 hours. After last year’s victory by hot favourite Wolf Hall we are taking no chances this year but are confident that it’s impossible for anyone to know the winner at the moment."
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