Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 28 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Al Dudman looks at the Strictly betting as the competition gets serious - and things are not looking good for Snowdon, Bleakley or Healey.

Back in the 19th century Lord George Sanger owned an elephant. Quite unremarkable I hear you cry.

Sanger toured the country with his celebrated travelling fair and had as its main attraction the very said elephant... who took penalty kicks. Now that is remarkable!

As the years went by, the mammal's reputation grew. Not only as a formidable spot-kick taker, but as a goalkeeper too. He was unbeatable.

That was until the fair reached Leicestershire and four hardy players from Leicester Fosse FC challenged the elephant in a shoot-out. The first three failed miserably, but William Keech had different ideas. Keech realised the elephant was too big for a simple tap-in and executed a gameplan, and that involved a shimmy and a dummy.

The dummy worked, and using these special tactics, Keech triumphed 3-2 to claim victory over the unbeatable animal.

A totally true story, and many lessons to be learned. Firstly: always sidestep an elephant. Secondly: no one is unbeatable. Step forward Austin Healey!

As I have been saying all throughout SCD6, Healey is too short a price and had to be taken on. And for the first time this series, the former England rugby international has been usurped as favourite and drifted out to [3.10] in the winners market.

I have always been of the opinion that he is good - there's no getting away from that fact - but he struck me as a one-trick pony and never really improved week-on-week.

If you have layed him as advised in previous weeks then you are sitting pretty, if not, then I suggest you have a go at laying him in the 'Top Male' market. He is [1.99] trading as second favourite behind Tom Chambers at [1.91].

Healey is fast losing ground on the likes of Rachel Stevens (on the back of two top scores of 39 and 40) and needs to pull it together in Week 11.

Last week he again showed his tendency to be more interested in camping it up. Yes it's fun, yes it's cheeky. Will he win? (in my own Simon Cowell self question style) No he won't.

Saturday's show is double the dancing and therefore double the err dancing. Contestants have the tricky task of learning two routines instead of the one. Self explanatory then.

One of Healey's dances is the Paso Doble. Yes it should be good, but I see a score of around 36 points, and at this stage, that is not high enough.

With Jodie Kidd gone there are no more weak links, and indeed no more gags involving daddy long legs. What a pity.

Lisa Snowdon will be many traders idea of a good thing to get the chop this weekend. The former girlfriend of George Clooney(still some miles on the clock in that one) has faced the dance off for the last two weeks and she is topping the elimination market for Sunday currently trading at [2.14].

The lass from Welwyn Garden City has been a funny one to work out for the entire series. She has threatened to be a live contender with some scintilating and sexy dances. However, those
who backed her at [7.00] must be kicking themselves now, as she's gone out to [27.00].

She is actually a very good example of being a decent dancer but not that popular. As we have seen with John Sergeant the dance is somewhat immaterial - if the public like ya, you are in. If they don't, you are gone. It may be harsh, but I don't think Lisa is that likeable to the hordes of women phoning in their droves.

Snowdon has admitted the fact she is not that popular with the public, and her confidence, as well as Brendan's, is at rock-bottom.

Elsewhere, Rachel is already a better dancer than a singer, mind you I probably am too.

Her 39 points two weeks ago was eclipsed by a perfect 40 last week. The judges were drooling, so was I, perhaps for different reasons.

She has a lovely contrast of dances this Saturday with the Waltz and the Paso Doble and will strengthen her chances of winning the title. Available to back at [4.50]. Also of interest is the Top 3 market at a short price of [1.45].

Lovely, lovely Christine Bleakley flopped badly last weekend after a run of personal bests. Her 27 point Cha Cha Cha was wooden and sticky according to Craig. Although she is my favourite and a public favourite, her challenge this week is the Tango and Salsa...she may fall short.

If she doesn't get the votes to stay in, a possible dance-off with Lisa could see her doomed.

Seeing as I started the column with an elephant, I will end with another couple of animals.

It was the tortoise who said to the hare: "slow and steady wins the race". Although a bit quicker than a tortoise, Tom Chambers has been steadily improving to win the contest, and
is clear favourite at [2.88].

The Holby man blew the judges away last week with a superlative Tango. It was a gripping performance that even Craig liked!

Bruno was more impressed, having described Tom's dance as a 'Championship winning one'. Layers were in no mood for taking risks after hearing those comments, hence the short price.

Before I sign off, I am getting a bit fed up of seeing the countless 'stars' and cast members of Eastenders in the audience every week. Can't us public have a go at watching it? I hear tickets are like gold dust. Shame, I would love to go.

However, I am off to America this week for a short break, so I can't make it this Saturday.

Recommendations:

Lay Austin @ [1.99] in Top Male Market

Back Christine @ [2.72] for 11th Elimination

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