THE RUNNING MAN

Talking Pictures TV, 9.30pm

Another masterpiece from Carol Reed sees Laurence Harvey go undercover on the continent in an attempt to perpetuate an insurance fraud. His complicit wife (Lee Remick) follows him there, where the plan seems on track – until the agent of the insurance company (Alan Bates) appears in the same area. Nobody quite shows their hand; nobody quite tells the truth. It’s a tangle of suspicious minds.

With stage 20, a gruelling mountain ride over 130 km between Albertville and Val Thorens, the Tour proper comes to an end.

All that’s left is Sunday’s final stage, the ceremonial ride into Paris and down the magnificent ChampsÉlysées (Eurosport 1/ITV4, 4.30pm/4.45pm). Will Geraint Thomas retain or surrender his crown?

The £1.25 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the main event at Ascot this weekend (3.40pm). Look out for Enable; the filly is after her second win here, ridden by Frankie Dettori.

1963

Hockenheim was where Sebastian Vettel’s title push began to unravel last year, as he slid off the track while leading in soggy conditions – on home soil. At least this year he barely has a title challenge to ruin. Still, expect the German to be more fired up than he’s seemed in some recent races, and for he and young team-mate Charles Leclerc to press the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. As usual, don’t rule out the Red Bull of Max Verstappen either.

Brandt Snedeker Thurs, SS Golf/Main Event, 6pm/10.15pm