NATHANS HOT DOG CONTEST 2011 ODDS SHOW CHESTNUT HEAVY FAVOURITE TO TOP KOBAYASHI

After some of the best competitive eating on the planet, and a little bit of hot dog-related police drama, we saw Joey Chestnut crowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest winner for the fourth consecutive time. 

His chief rival, international gourmand of processed pork parts Takeru Kobayashi, did not compete this year but was in attendance on Coney Island. In a moment of madness, Kobayashi rushed the stage during the award ceremony but was accosted by some of New York's Finest and promptly led away in handcuffs.
It is rumoured that contractual issues surrounding his association with Major League Eating prompted Kabayashi to skip this year's contest, although he was quoted as saying his job was tired- a likely story from the wily Japanese national. 
Joey Chestnut has been installed as the favourite to win the 2011 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest by popular UK bookmaker Ladbrokes. You can bet on him, ante-post style, at a slim 1.5 price and our American friends will read that as -200. 
Takeru Kobayashi's odds to win the 2011 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest are trading at a solid 2.4 (+140), which many will consider to be excellent value on the competitor who changed the game with his no-chew technique a few years back.
If you can successfully back somebody to upset the two contenders who stand atop the sport like a pair of Colossi you're definitely looking at some very solid prices. You can back Tim Janus at a 16.0 (+1500) price or Bob Shoudt and Patrick Bertolli- who are both available at a 21.0 (+2000) listing. Sonya Thomas is priced at 34.0 (+3300) with Hall Hunt available at 41.0 (+4000). Juliet Lee trades at 51.0 (+5000). 
Pete Davekos, Erik Denmark and the well-monikered Gravy Brown can all be backed at 67.0 (+6600). Mongo Marquez, Eric Booker and Jim Reeves are all sitting at 76.0 (+7500) with Rich LeFevre bringing up the rear at 101.0 (+10,000).