Stan Hey: 6-5 against

The only people who will not mind this weekend's soggy weather are the 100,000 petrol-heads camped out around Silverstone for tomorrow's British Grand Prix. They love the plumes of spray and 360 degree spins. And while race-goers at Sandown for today's Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes will grin and bear it, they will be reviewing the form if softer ground prevails.

It is tempting fate to bet on the Grand Prix before today's final qualifying but I think Lewis Hamilton will bag the big champagne bottle tomorrow. He is not afraid of a slick track and with an adoring audience on hand he should avoid his recent mistakes – "did you not see the red light, sir?". A £10 win at 5-2.

The Eclipse already looked a bit limp before rain was predicted. Only two of the runners have won at Group 1 level – Mount Nelson and Literato. The best recent form belongs to Henry Cecil's Multidimensional, who won't mind the drop back to 1m 2f or softening ground – £5 each-way at 11-2 (Paddy Power).

Better weather is required for Lord's on Thursday where England meet a tough-looking South Africa in the first of four Tests. The visitors will be targeting Kevin Pietersen for "treatment" and their batting looks beefy. So it's South Africa to win the first Test (£10 at 6-4 generally) and the series 3-0 (£5 at 14-1, Coral). At least one Test will be washed out.

Last week's wagers

Small profits were registered by Septimus (won) and Casual Conquest (2nd), while Spain's Euro win banked £13. Sail flopped, taking 10 quid off, while Highland Legacy also lost a tenner, getting no run in the Pitman's Derby – he might yet repay us in the Ebor.