X-Factor / Jack Houghton / 27 November 2008 /

Only five remain with Diana the current favourite amongst Betfair punters, although our man Jack Houghton believes that it is her reported love interest Eoghan who is looking the most likely winner.

We're cooking now. Three winning bets in a row have seen profits on our recommended bets soar. According to my calculations, we are now a MASSIVE third-of-a-point in profit. I might take out one of those ads in the Racing Post. Call now for my BIGGEST bet of the series. This one CAN'T LOSE.

I mean, think about it. If you'd been backing to £100,000 a point, you'd be able to buy a house with our profits so far. In Huddersfield at least. How many tipsters can honestly say they've bought their followers a house? Not that Mike Norman for sure, he's rubbish. No premium rate phone line for him. Not a punting one anyway.

As things stand, an Eoghan win would be a monster result for followers of this column. Tipped up at [14.5] before the live shows started and re-recommended at [6.0] a few weeks back, he's now second-favourite at [3.2] and, in my book, should be favourite. Diana, currently holding that position, is no doubt popular; but she seems to have the capacity to annoy and entertain in equal measure and I struggle to see her winning a shootout with the populist big hairdo from Northern Ireland. But if she does? No matter, we've tipped her up as well at [9.4] (she's now [2.7]) and would still win a bit if she prevailed.

Whatever happens folks, with a record like this, I doubt this advice is going to stay free for ever. God I'm brilliant.

X-Factor City. Population: five. Elevation: sky-high. The big news of the week? Dannii is not having a happy time of it. First, there was all that arguing between her and Louis. He accused her of stealing a song for her act Rachel; that his act JLS were supposed to sing. She started crying. He tried to kiss her to say sorry. Unsurprisingly, that lecherous act wasn't much comfort. Rachel then got involved. She thinks Louis is a bully. She called him a "buzzard." I'm not sure what that means. Unless she is comparing her ex-mentor to rotting meat, with Louis the scavenger feasting on her vulnerable carcass? Not sure. Anyhow, Louis apparently thinks Dannii's reaction was just an attempt to garner sympathy. Crocodile tears he says. It's all getting a bit Jungle Book.

As if the rift with Louis wasn't enough, sources tell me Dannii is worried about her future with the show. In an effort to recruit allies, Dannii has tried to invite Cheryl to buddy-lunches. But - so the rumours go - that pesky Cheryl keeps finding excuses. Sorry Dannii, I'm having my tiara fitted at lunchtime.

Dannii's got nothing to worry about though has she? Hang on. Latest news. Simon Cowell (or Cowbell as my spellcheck insists on calling him) is in discussions with Robbie Williams to become an X-Factor judge next series. How awesome would that be? Bye bye Dannii.

In other news, Rachel Hylton has said her elimination isn't the end of her career. Okay love, whatever you think. Some might argue you had no career to end, but not me. Good luck to you. And Eoghan and Diana are now, reportedly, an official item. But some bloke called Chris Jones - who is Diana's pre-show and, in his mind at least, current boyfriend, says scruffy-do and big-do are just good friends. I guess we'll know more soon.

Enough of what's already happened. You don't read this for historical comment. You read it for omniscient brilliance in predicting the future. I used to be an atheist. Now I realise I'm god.

I recommend a 3pts back of Diana at [1.65] in the Girls market. A lot is made of Alexandra's talent but - to get technical for a second - her tone is poor in the lower registers; and yet she insists on warbling about down there. Yes, she's got a powerful voice, but she lacks control and finesse. She's a bit like a racehorse trying to caress an egg with its hooves. Her voice has no opposable thumb and things get messy as a result. And that's why Diana will outlast her.

There's no judge ballot this week, so it's a straight public vote for elimination. Ruth is favourite to go, but each contestant has to sing a Britney Spears number and an American Classic; and I can see her impressing with a rock song in the latter category. So I'm recommending a 1pt back of JLS at [3.3] and a 1pt back of Alexandra at [6.2] to go on Saturday night.

Here endeth the lesson.

Recommended:

3pts back of Diana at [1.65] in Girls market.
1pt back of JLS at [3.3] in 8th Elimination market.
1pt back of Alexandra at [6.2] in 8th Elimination market.

Already Recommended:

1pt back of Diana at [9.4] in Winner market.
1pt back of Eoghan at [14.5] in Winner market.
1pt back of Simon at [3.7] in Winning Manager market.
2pts back of Eoghan at [6.0] in Winner market.
3pts lay of Cheryl at [1.72] in Winning Manager market.

Already Settled:

2pts back of Girlband at [1.65] in Bottom Two Acts market, week two. (WON)
1pt back of Rachel at [2.9] in Bottom Two Acts market, week three. (LOST)
1pt back of Rachel at [3.7] in Bottom Two Acts market, week four. (WON)
4pts back of Daniel at [1.44] in Bottom Two Acts market, week four. (LOST)
1pt back of Austin at [9.2] in Winner market. (LOST)
2pts back of Rachel at [1.97] in Bottom Two Acts market, week five. (LOST)
1pt back of JLS at [5.7] in Bottom Two Acts market, week five. (LOST)
2pts back of JLS at [5.8] in Bottom Two Acts market, week six. (LOST)
4pts back of Rachel at [1.89] in 7th Elimination market, week seven. (WON)
2pts lay of Ruth at [1.41] in Bottom Two Acts market, week seven. (WON)
1pt back of Ruth at [2.7] in 25 and Overs market. (WON)

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