Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

The bookies will be expecting a relatively quiet weekend with the Open Championship at halfway and the second Test at Headingley in play. But there's a fair chance, given the likely intervention of the weather, that punters will be forced back into the market. Those who had the misfortune to back Sandy Lyle or Rich Beem at Royal Birkdale, will want a player to sustain their interest.

This morning is a good time to bet again – the cut will have been made, and the dead wood cleared out. "Betting in running" is relatively new concept, provoked by the exchanges' facility for accepting bets at any stage in a contest. So, if you'd backed South Africa in the first Test, you could have looked to "get out" on the draw, on Saturday night, at a handy price.

Being a bit old-fashioned – well just old, actually – I prefer to bet "straight, no chaser", in jazz parlance. There are few chances this weekend, with top-class racing taking a breather. Newbury's card today features promising sprinter Corrybrough in the Hackwood Stakes and Royal Ascot's losing "banker", Bankable, in the Steventon Stakes. The Weatherbys Super Sprint is often won by Richard Hannon, but Senor Mirasol could be the answer – I suggest a Patent (three choices, seven combined bets).

And while the golf and the cricket hold sway tomorrow, a £5 each-way bet on Nick Heidfeld (25-1 general) in the German Grand Prix might help the accounts. You'll need three tellies, mind.

Last week's wagers

Favourite backers were caught out by South Africa's rusty start, with bat and ball at Lord's, and £10 was lost on a win bet. The match wasn't helped by a pitch provided by Slumberland.