AMY WINEHOUSE - JAMIE T TO CHALLENGE MONKEY FEVER

Amy Winehouse and Jamie T have emerged as the bookies' favourites to win this year's Nationwide Mercury prize.

The judging panel announced its shortlist yesterday and previous winners Arctic Monkeys were among those nominated.

But according to Sky Bet, Winehouse's Back to Black and Jamie T's Panic Prevention are likely to thwart the Monkeys' continued quest for domination.

Following closely behind are Klaxons with their LP Myths of the Near Future and Bat for Lashes' album Fur and Gold.

Helen Jacob, Sky Bet's entertainment manager, said: "It's a tough shortlist and Klaxons' and Jamie T's highly original albums could come close, but Amy Winehouse's Back to Black is in a class of its own and we think it just has the edge."

Outside bets include Fionn Regan's The End of History and New Young Pony Club's Fantastic Playroom, which was only released earlier this month.

Dizzee Rascal is also nominated for his third album Maths + English after winning the Mercury for his debut LP Boy in da Corner in 2003.

The Mercury prize board has made the odd surprise decision in the past however, as in 2005 when Antony and the Johnsons beat Coldplay and Bloc Party to the award.