British contenders odds-on for BAFTA triumph

Bookmaker Coral is predicting a successful night for British talent at this year’s BAFTA awards, making 12 Years a Slave the overwhelming favourite at 1-9 to win Best Film, ahead of Gravity and American Hustle at 13-2 and 11-1 respectively.

British star Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is already tipped for an Oscar, is the 1-12 favourite to scoop the award for Best Actor, while his co-star Lupita Nyong’o is the leading contender to win Best Supporting actress at 4-11. Judi Dench (9-1) and Emma Thompson (33-1) go head-to-head for Best Actress, but Blue Jasmine star Cate Blanchett is the one to beat at 1-12.

The category for Best Director is shaping up to be more competitive, but Gravity’s Alfonso Cuaron gets the nod at 4-9, ahead of Steve McQueen at 13-8.

“This year’s BAFTA awards has attracted huge betting interest and patriotic punters are queuing to get behind Steve McQueen and his masterpiece 12 Years a Slave. It’s been an excellent year for British talent and Sunday night will give us a taster of what’s to come at this year’s Oscars,” said Coral’s Nicola McGeady,

** Best Film

1-9 12 Years a Slave, 13-2 Gravity, 11-1 American Hustle, 28-1 Philomena, 80-1 Captain Phillips

** Outstanding British Film

1-2 Gravity, 15-8 Philomena, 15-2 The Selfish Giant, 33-1 Saving Mr Banks, 80-1 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, 100-1 Rush

** Best Director

4-9 Alfonso Cuaron, 13-8 Steve McQueen, 18-1 David O Russell, 40-1 Martin Scorcese, 80-1 Paul Greengrass

** Leading Actor

1-12 Chiwetel Ejiofor, 10-1 Leonardo DiCaprio, 11-1 Bruce Dern, 28-1 Tom Hanks, 28-1 Christian Bale

** Leading Actress

1-12 Cate Blanchett, 9-1 Judi Dench, 12-1 Sandra Bullock, 25-1 Amy Adams, 33-1 Emma Thompson