Brokeback Mountain expected to lead Oscar nominations

Gay cowboys, country singers, literary lions, a bullheaded CIA agent and a transsexual on a road trip are among the likely cast of characters for Academy Awards nominations today.

Brokeback Mountain, a tale of two cowboys swept up in a tragic love affair, seemed poised for front-runner status in the best-picture race and was a virtual shoo-in to grab nominations for lead actor Heath Ledger and director Ang Lee, with co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams holding strong prospects for supporting acting.