Betting hots up for Oscars at Paddy Power

The Aviator leads Irish bookmaker Paddy Power’s betting for Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars, with odds of 4/9, while Martin Scorsese is at 8/11 for Best Director.

Million Dollar Baby, directed by Clint Eastwood, has been making a late run and is at 2/1 for Best Picture and even money for Best Director.

Jamie Foxx is Paddy Power’s hottest ever favourite to win the Best Actor gong for Ray at 1/16, while Hilary Swank is odds-on favourite for Best Actress at 1/4.

For the first time, Paddy Power is offering betting on which designer dresses the winner of the Best Actress award will wear.

Paddy Power said: “Hilary Swank is hot odds-on favourite to snatch the Best Actress award, so the designer betting largely revolves around what she’ll wear.

"She’s partial to Calvin Klein. However, students of form will remember that the Swanky one wore a Christian Dior dress in 2003 and a Versace number in 2001. She obviously likes mixing it up a bit!”

Paddy Power shares opened today at €12.77 on the ISEQ.