Betting tips / Paul Krishnamurty / 23 January 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

If anyone questioned Newt Gingrinch's contender status before the weekend, South Carolina had put paid to that, and yet Paul Krishnamurty feels there might be another twist ahead in the Republican nominee race.

With a stunning comeback victory in the South Carolina Primary, just as the polls and market predicted, Newt Gingrich threw the race for the Republican nomination wide open last night.

Having been matched at a high of [160.0] during the early stages of the race, and up to [32.0] just a few days ago, the former Speaker is down to [3.0] and closing fast on long-term favourite Mitt Romney.

Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, who finished third and fourth respectively, are both staying in the race but finished so far behind the front-two in South Carolina that it's becoming hard to consider either as a front-line candidate.

Instead, the betting ahead of the crucial forthcoming contest in Florida points to an emerging two-horse race, with Romney clinging to favouritism at [1.79]. All eyes are now fixed on this week's two debates in the Sunshine State, ahead of the January 31st primary.

There may just, however, be another twist. Both Romney and Gingrich have plenty of enemies within the Republican Party, fuelling rumours that a more palatable candidate could yet enter the fray in a bid to unify the party. Big names mentioned include Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Mitch Daniels and Tim Pawlenty. Such an eventuality may seem improbable at this late stage, but it would be no great surprise to see market moves for one of these outsiders, given the inconclusive state of the race.