Bookies predict British invasion at this year’s Oscars

Britain’s Oscar-winning credentials have been given a boost overnight, after 12 Years a Slave and Chiwetel Ejiofor cleaned-up at this year’s BAFTA awards. Bookmaker Coral has slashed Steve McQueen’s critically acclaimed film into 1-7 from 1-4 to win the Oscar for Best Picture, ahead of Gravity at 4-1.

The star of the film Chiwetel Ejiofor scooped the gong for Best Actor at last night’s star-studded ceremony, and Coral reacted by cutting his odds into 13-2 from 9-1 to win the same honour at the Oscars on March 2nd.

Steve McQueen lost out on the award for Best Director to Gravity’s Alfonso Cuaron, and the British film-maker is now 8-1 to win an Oscar, while Cuaron’s odds has shortened into 1-20 from 1-10.

“The BAFTA’s always have a huge impact on the Oscars betting and if last night’s ceremony is anything to go by, March 2nd will be a night of celebration for British talent,” said Coral’s Nicola McGeady.

** Best Picture

1-7 (from 1-4) 12 Years a Slave, 4-1 Gravity, 16-1 American Hustle, 16-1 Dallas Buyers Club, 80-1 The Wolf Of Wall Street, 100-1 Captain Phillips  100-1 Her, 100-1 Nebraska, 100-1 Philomena

**Best Director

1-20 (from 1-10) Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity, 8-1 Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave, 33-1 David O’Russell – American Hustle, 66-1 Martin Scorcese – The Wolf Of Wall Street, 100-1 Alexander Payne – Nebraska

**Best Actor

1-6 Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club, 6-1 Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street  6/1, 13-2 (from 9-1) Chiwetel Ejiofor, 40-1 Bruce Dern – Nebraska, 100-1 Christian Bale – American Hustle

**Best Actress

1-66 (from 1-33) Cate Blanchett, 16-1 Adams – American Hustle, 16-1 Sandra Bullock – Gravity, 40-1 Judi Dench – Philomena, 80-1 Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

**Best Supporting Actor

1-12 Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club, 7-1 Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave, 12-1 (from 25-1) Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips, 40-1 Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street, 66-1 Bradley Cooper – American Hustle