Interesting read that Pixie.
Things like this always remind of when a teacher asked the class, "what is the average number of arms or legs that people have". Just about all would go for 2, which of course is wrong. In fact, the vast majority of us have more than the average as far as limbs go.

As for the unusual run of favourites, I would say to Chrome and others, get some sleep and go back in a month to see if it has turned. And the UK bookies, I wouldn't worry about them either, they have had huge margins for years, and if they are not ploughing most of their turnover back through BF at better odds, then more fool them.