NO women, no gimmicks, and no clear favourite - the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's leading comedy prize has come over all traditional.

The annual prize, which has changed its name from the Perrier award to the "if. comeddies", unveiled its short list yesterday, one dominated by conventional stand-up comedy.

David O'Doherty, Russell Howard, Phil Nicol, and Paul Sinha are four of the artists in the running, the list completed by a sketch show, We Are Klang, made up of comedians Greg Davies, Steve Hall and Marek Larwood.

Nica Burns, who runs the awards, admitted there was "not great controversy" attached to the shortlist.

Ms Burns said: "Before the festival some said it was time for the 'stand up to be back' and that has proved to be the case. I hate to say it but there is nothing controversial about this list, although they are all brilliant performers."

The nominees for best newcomer are Fat Tongue, Concert for La Vert: God's Pottery, Andrew Lawrence, Josie Long and Russell Kane.

Colin Somerville, The Herald's comedy critic, said: "There are some really strong stand-up shows. I thought Phil Nicol's show was brilliant and he is probably the favourite, although I really liked Russell Howard."

This year there is a third award for the act which best captures the comedy spirit of the Fringe. There is no shortlist and the award is at the judging panel's discretion.

All three winners will be announced on Saturday when the main winner will receive GBP8000 while the two others will get GBP4000 each.