Tony McCoy: British athletes are competition for Sports Personality crown

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Athletics success leads to McCoy drift in betting

TONY McCOY has drifted to 15-8 from 7-4 in the betting for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award with William Hill following Britain's success at the European Athletics Championships.

The 15-time champion jockey and Grand National hero remains firm favourite to become racing's first winner of the prestigious prize, but heptathlete Jessica Ennis - who took third spot behind Ryan Giggs last year - has again emerged as a serious contender and been cut to 10-1 from 50-1 after adding to her gold medal haul in Barcelona.

Hills have also installed Mo Farah, as a 10-1 chance in the reshaped market. The newly crowned European 5,000m and 10,000m champion was previously unquoted.

Hills spokeswoman, Kate Miller, said: "We have eased out Tony McCoy slightly, and what had looked like unspectacular year for British sport is actually turning out better than we had hoped."

Sports personality of the year William Hill:

Tony McCoy 15-8; Lewis Hamilton 6-1, Andy Murray 8-1, Phil Taylor, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, 10-1; Graeme McDowell, 12-1.