The above are the latest head to head numbers from the excellent Real Clear Politics site and show what happens when John McCain is put against either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

As can be seen the 71 year old beats both of them on the RCP average which is updated daily. The latest figures are very much affected by the Rasmussen numbers showing the GOP man with a substantial margin over the two Democratic party possibilities. In its previous survey Rasmussen had both Clinton and Obama ahead.

In the betting for who will actually get to the White House McCain is second favourite at 2.25/1.

There might be value, if you have confidence in these polls, in the winning party markets. Here the Democrats are the tight 0.56/1 favourites with the GOP on 1.76/1. If you think MCCain will get the nomination and believe the polls then these prices look great value.

Mike Smithson