...some more Bettingzone Market News:
1300: With just a month to go before the
Christmas No.1 is decided,
William Hill are asking where are the challengers?
Hills have the X-Factor winner as their 2/7 hot favourite to win what was one of the nation's favourite flutters but which could be a damp squib with so many major artists ducking the challenge.
Currently the Sugababes are the 4/1 second favourite with internet sensation Soulja Boy offered at 7/1. By far the biggest mover in the field is Malcolm Middleton whose single "We are all going to die," has been cut from 1000/1 to 20/1.
"As far as we can tell our list includes all the tracks being released in the two weeks leading up to Xmas and it looks like no-one is prepared to take on the X-Factor juggernaut. Simon Cowell has killed off one of the great festive flutters," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.
Gennaro Castaldo, HMV Head of Press &
PR, added: "Unfortunately, the huge power of the X-Factor has put off all the big-name stars throwing their hats in the ring as they once used to - as they realise they're on to a hiding to nothing. So it's down to a few novelty acts to take on the challenge - and if I had to pick a dark horse Shaun The Sheep would be the one to watch.
"The animated character is a big favourite with the pre-teens, and, as we saw with Bob the Builder in the 1990's, parents can sometimes find it hard to resist kids' pester-power, and will go out and buy the single for their Christmas stockings."
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Fairly sizable gamble over on the
Betfair forums on Soulja Boy to win without the X Factor winner. Not to put the mockers on 'em but I hope it doesn't come off.
The 'out of nowhere surely it's got no chance!?' gamble this year though is on called Malcolm Middleton.
BBC Radio 1 DJs back Malcolm Middleton's Xmas Number One bid | News | NME.COM
I hate Scott Mills but he seems to manage to convince folks as he always champions at least one record a year and it does well in the charts.