As a general betting principle, the idea of ‘horses for courses’ is a good one. It is indisputable that some horses run better at one course than another. This may be because of the nature of the track – undulating or flat, sharp bends or straight – or simply the make-up of the ground itself, particularly if the difference is as striking as between grass and an all-weather artificial surface.

I have no idea why DOCKLANDS runs so well at Ascot but there is no doubt he is several lengths better at the Berkshire track than anywhere else in the country. His form figures from seven runs at Ascot now reads: 1132221. Two of his three wins at Ascot came at the royal meeting, no less.

When he won the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot in June this year, little went right for him. He dwelt coming out of the stalls, he was held up in a slowly-run race and his jockey dropped his whip, yet he still wore down the favourite, Rosallion, in the last furlong, winning in a photo finish.

Since then he has put up two more modest performances at Goodwood and Deauville but, even in the face of still opposition, I am happy to put my faith in trainer Harry Eustace’s five-year-old tomorrow when he runs in the Group 1 Qipco-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.25 p.m.), again over a mile. Tom Marquand taking the ride is a bonus too and so back Docklands 1 point each way at 14-1 with Ladbrokes, paying three places. Other bookies pricing up 12-1 are offering four places.

British Champions Day tomorrow at Ascot is going to be a real treat. The Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes (4.05 p.m.) is being promoted as the ‘race of the season’ and, with the high-class trio of Ombudsman, Calandagan and Delacroix all lining up, I think that billing is fair. However, with the three horses all available at no bigger than 7-2, I am happy look elsewhere for value when it comes to a bet.

Trainer Andrew Balding has two hopes in the race in the shape of Fox Legacy and ALMERIC and, although the former has been the shorter in the betting until this morning, I prefer to take a chance on the latter.

This lightly-raced three-year-old grey colt has long been held in high regard by connections and had been due to run in the French Derby until meeting with a mid-season setback. That kept him off the track for more than five months, but his comeback run at Ayr last month under Oisin Murphy was impressive even though it was only in a listed, not a group, race.

I hope Almeric can step up on that performance again tomorrow when racing over his best distance of ten furlongs, even though he might prefer the ground to be a tad softer. Back him 1 point each way at 22-1 with Sky Bet, Paddy Power and Betfair, all paying three places.

I am going to give the first two races on tomorrow’s card a miss. Odds-on shot Trawlerman is not unbeatable on quick ground in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (12.55 p.m.) but I don’t know which horse to put up against him. The Qipco British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes (1.30 p.m.) is simply not my kind of puzzle.

The seven-race Champions Day card is, as usual, packed with hugely talented horses, trainers and jockeys 

There has been a lot of debate in the past fortnight over whether punters should be prepared to forgive a horse one poor run. This follows Daryz’s victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after a shocking run in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York and then Gewan’s win in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes after his poor run in the Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

My view is that you should forgive one poor run if there is value to be had, which is why I am happy to put up NO HALF MEASURES in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (2.05 p.m.) over six furlongs.

Trainer Richard Hughes’s four-year-old filly had a slightly troubled run last time out when only ninth behind Big Mojo in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. He had previously beaten that colt fair and square at Newmarket early last month in the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes. Back No Half Measures 1 point each way at 25-1 with Ladbrokes, Coral or BetVictor, all paying four places.

However, I want to go into this race double handed with the French-trained three-year-old filly RAYEVKA who was taken out of the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp earlier this month on account of the soft ground and getting a poor draw.

Tomorrow’s better ground and extra furlong should be much more to her liking and she ran well here at Royal Ascot in June in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup when third behind Time For Sandals. So back Rayevka too, 1 point each way at 14-1 with Ladbrokes or Coral, both  paying four places.

I have already put up two horses each way in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.45 p.m.): Waardah at 8-1 and Wemightakedlongway at 20-1. The former would prefer softer ground, the latter is not ground dependent but, on balance, I am happy enough with both wagers now that the field has cut up to just ten runners.

The last race on tomorrow’s card is arguably the hardest to solve: the 20-runner Balmoral Handicap (4.40 p.m.) is run over Ascot’s straight mile and it is impossible to predict with certainty any draw advantage.

North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara loves nothing better than heading south to plunder big handicaps at the likes of Ascot and Goodwood and he might land another one here with CERULEAN BAY. This tough four-year-old gelding is on a hat-trick after two wins at Goodwood. He can race off an official mark of 101 tomorrow, just one point higher than for his last win. Back him 1 point each way at 16-1 with Paddy Power or Sky Bet, both offering a generous six places. The list of dangers in the race is too long to mention.

Anyway, with the two ante-post wagers, that’s seven suggested bets in total for a significant financial interest in the seven-race Champions Day card which, as usual, is packed with hugely talented horses, trainers and jockeys. One result is certain: it will be a day to savour for all racing enthusiasts.

Pending:

1 point each way No Half Measures at 25-1 for the Champions Sprint, paying 1/5 odds, 4 places.

1 point each way Rayevka at 14-1 for the Champions Sprint, paying 1/5 odds, 4 places.

1 point each way Waardah at 8-1 for the Fillies & Mares Stakes, paying 1/5 odds, 3 places.

1 point each way Wemightakedlongway at 20-1 for the Fillies & Mares Stakes, paying 1/5 odds, 3 places.

1 point each way Docklands at 14-1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, paying 1/5 odds, 3 places.

1 point each way Almeric at 22-1 for the Champions Stakes, paying 1/5 odds, 3 places.

1 point each way Cerulean Bay at 16-1 for the Fillies & Mares Stakes, paying 1/5 odds, 6 places.

Last weekend: + 2.5 points

1 point each way Bopedro at 15-2 for the Autumn Mile, paying 1/5 odds, 5 places. 4th + 0.5 points.

1 point each way Winter Fog at 16-1 for the Cesarewitch, paying 1/5 odds, 6 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.

1 point each way Divine Comedy at 20-1 for the Cesarewitch, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places. 4th. + 4 points.

2025 flat season running total: + 92.12 points.

2024-5 jump season: – 47.61 points on all tips.

2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.

2023-4 jump season: + 42.01 points on all tips.

2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.

2022-3 jump season: + 54.3 points on all tips.