mister pip book jacket crop

Mister Pip propelled into second favourite position

Darkmans pushed into third position

6 September 2007

Lloyd Jones’ Mister Pip has moved into second favourite position in the last day of betting at William Hill bookmakers. 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.

William Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe commented,

“We have seen an unprecedented gamble on this virtually unknown writer, whose first novel this is to be published in the UK. 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.”

The shortlist is announced later on today, Thursday 6th September.

To see all odds on the Man Booker Prize please visit the William Hill website.

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