Weekend Betting Tips from Bet365 Analyst Nigel Ridgway

TIM'S A BONNIE BET******************There are some big names teeing it up this week for the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond (live on BBC), but how many will be pulling out all the stops to win? With the Open only 8 days away, not everyone will be giving this event 100%, preferring to experiment with their games ahead of next week.So, this could be a week for one of the lesser lights to shine, in particular Tim Clark (28/1) who has the course form to match his current form. In only three visits to the course, he's already managed a third and a fifth-placed finish and, after making the frame in last month's US Open at Pinehurst, this will be a stroll in the park.Loch Lomond Pick: Tim Clark @ 28/1 at Bet365HENSBY FOR A REPEAT******************* Th Jul 7 - 21.00 BST (SS2) Fr Jul 8 - 21.00 BST (SS2) Sa Jul 9 - 19.00 BST (SS2) Su Jul 10 - 19.00 BST (SS3)Big names are a bit thin on the ground for this week's US Tour event, although the John Deere Classic (live on Sky Sports) does feature the world No.10 David Toms (15/2) and No.16 Stewart Cink (13/1*), along with the teenage sensation Michelle Wie, who is sure to get plenty of attention (7/2 to make the cut this week). However, the player to bet on this week is last week's 'failure' Mark Hensby (20/1), who should be given another chance to show that his US Open tie for third was no fluke. It was only an opening 75 at last week's Western Open that robbed him of another top-10 finish (still finished 16th), and he looks a great bet at 20/1 to successfully defend his title. Live In-play betting available throughout.* Enhanced Win Only OddsJohn Deere Pick: Mark Hensby @ 20/1 (last week's pick, Billy Mayfair was 4th at 66/1!) Plus: Each-way double on Tim Clark & Mark Hensby (both ¼ odds 1.2.3.4.5)BACK MULLINS FOR THE BEER MONEY******************************* Sa Jul 9The feature race at York on Saturday - the John Smiths Cup (3.55, live on Channel 4) - has seen many successful gambles down the years, and our two market leaders, Mullins Bay (7/2) and Notable Guest (4/1), are both potential plunge horses. Of the two, the former could take all the beating judged on his dramatically improved performance over course and distance at York last month. The winner that day, Imperial Stride, has since given the form a massive boost by winning impressively at Newmarket and, as the York race took place after the weights for this handicap were compiled, Mullins Bay gets to run off a mark 9lb lower than in future handicaps. Of course, 'handicap snips' don't always go in, but the Irish runner has already proved himself adept at handling big fields, and must have a great chance of going one better on Saturday. Notable Guest is on a hat-trick after wins at Newmarket and on this track, but he may be anchored by a 5lb penalty, so the biggest danger could come from Royal Prince (14/1), who has been running as if in need of this step up to a mile and a half. Good news is that anyone backing the winner of this race, at 4/1 or bigger, will be entitled to a free bet on the next live Channel 4 race.John Smiths Cup Pick: Mullins Bay @ 7/2, Royal Prince @ 14/1 (Each-way)Go to Bet365 now!BUTTON FOR HOME GLORY*********************Fernando Alonso is 5/11 for the world drivers' championship after he scored a dominant home victory for Renault in the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours, extending his championship advantage over McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen to 24 points. Raikonen has been eased in the betting to 15/8, with Schumacher out to 11/1. Raikkonen performed superbly though to limit the damage after starting 13th following his 10-place grid penalty for an engine change, and is favourite at 5/6 going into this weekend's British GP at Silverstone (live in-play betting available). Next in the betting is Alonso at 3/1 with Michael Schumacher at 6/1. The home fans will be rooting for Jenson Button (16/1), especially after he picked up his first points of the season last week in France. A victory might be too much to hope for, but he must have a realistic chance of a 'Podium Finish' at 11/4 (2/5 to finish in the points).Go to Bet365 now!DROGBA FOR FLYING START***********************We're now betting on who will be the top scorer in the Premiership next season. Topping the list is last year's top scorer Thierry Henry at 9/4, followed by Ruud van Nistlerooy at 9/2, although neither price is much to get excited about. Further down the list we come to Didier Drogba at 12/1, and that looks more of a value price. It's not uncommon for foreign imports to struggle in their first season, only to come alive in their second season once acclimatized to the pace of the English game. Plus, with Chelsea beginning their campaign away at Wigan, home to Arsenal and West Brom, followed by Spurs away, there should be plenty of early goalscoring opportunities, by which time you'll be in a position to cover your bet.Top Premiership Goalscorer 2005/6: Didier Drogba @ 12/1Go to Bet365 now!ENGLAND TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE******************************** Th Jul 7 - 10:30 BST (SS1)The Aussies are definitely starting to look vulnerable after their failure to beat England in the final of the NatWest Series, and that is reflected in our latest Ashes prices. We've eased the Aussies to 4/9 with England (who showed great determination to battle back from 33 for five!) into a best-priced 11/4. That price will not last long if England can continue their one-day success in the NatWest Challenge, which gets under way at Headingley on Thursday (live in-play betting available). Going into the three-match challenge, Australia are favourite at 1/2 but, having taken plenty of positives from their win, England have to be the bet at 6/4.Nat West Challenge Pick: England @ 6/4Go to Bet365 now!