Phil Taylor amongst the favourites for BBC Sports Personality

Phil Taylor could end a superb year with yet another title, after being installed as third favourite to the win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

‘The Power’ – who is one of the Ladbrokes Lads Cup experts – has had yet another supremely successful year after winning his 15th world title and a host of other tournaments, including the World Matchplay and UK Open.

Taylor is 7/1 to win the prize for the first time after being previously nominated in 2006. That price has come in massively from the 25/1 offered yesterday showing huge confidence in the market.

However, he faces stiff competition from a couple of Northern Irish contenders.

Favourite for the award is Tony McCoy. The jump jockey has ridden over 3,000 winners and this year won the Grand National for the first time in his career on Don’t Push It. He can be backed at 4/5 for the award.

Second favourite is 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell. As well as becoming the first British golfer to win the year’s second major since Tony Jacklin in 1970, he also picked up the winning point for Europe as they regained the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

McDowell can be backed to win the award at 9/2, while fellow Ryder Cup hero and world No.1 Lee Westwood is fourth favourite at 8/1.

While Taylor is not favourite, it’s well worth remembering that last year Ryan Giggs made a late surge to claim the award, despite Formula One world champion Jensen Button being odds on favourite.

Could Taylor come from behind and do the same?

A £10 bet on Jessica Ennis to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year pays out £140. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.