A chance for Laila to shine

Oct 9, 2009 by Rob

It’s foxtrots and salsas this week for the remaining 13 contestants in Strictly. Last week was a profitable one – and if you took our advice and tucked into 2-1 for 35pts or more, Whittle at 4-5 to be top scorer, and Rav at 9s to be eliminated, you’ll have plenty of ammunition for tomorrow night.
The salsa looks tailor-made for Ricky and he’ll be a tough nut to crack on the top scorer market again but at 8-13 he is poor value. Ladbrokes offer 3-1 for a ten to be scored and this is worth backing again, as is the 11-8 that 36pts or more will be scored.
Like last week, you’ll have at least three couples to go to war with on these two bets – Whittle backed up by Ali Bastian, who looks set to produce a top notch salsa, and Laila Rouass, who says she’s felt more comfortable doing the foxtrot than any of her previous dances. Jade Johnson, also performing a salsa, adds a potential fourth string to your bow.
The foxtrot is a traditionally high scoring dance when performed well so it’s also worth a bet on Laila topping the scoring charts at 7-1. It’s been a tough week for her following Du Beke-gate, and this may also encourage the judges to score her and Anton’s dance generously, so over 31.5pts with Boylesports looks a steal.
In terms of the outright market, caution is advised with Laila, as it’s hard to envisage her public vote being strong enough when push comes to shove given Tony Beak’s diminished likeability. The flipside is, if she ends up with a new pro partner, she could become a major runner.
On the elimination front we cannot resist another Nat Cassidy poke at 20-1. We remain unconvinced by the strength of her public support, and it’s hard to see her looking good in the salsa compared to the likes of Bastian and Johnson, so she could find herself in that dangerous mid to low table position.
Craig’s foxtrot looked pretty decent in training, and Lynda should receive a spike in votes having been in the bottom 2 last week, as happened to Craig last Saturday. If Joe’s strong Welsh fan base continues to get on the phones, Jo Wood looks the most vulnerable of the rest and is also worth a bet at a best-priced 7-2 especially because it’s hard to see her trading any higher in-running.

Rob Furber