'I don't think Honeysuckle will win' - our experts share their big-race opinions

Welcome to the Punting Club! Unlike most clubs there's no joining fee or annual charge, and the only criterion for being part of the gang is simple: an appreciation for big-race punting and an enthusiasm for chewing over the big talking points.

Punt regulars Tom Collins, Maddy Playle and Robbie Wilders (Punting Club membership numbers #1, #2 and #3) answer your questions on the 2021-22 jumps season and share their best bets and insight.

Do you think Tiger Roll is good enough to win a third Grand National at his current mark? Sam Toghill

Maddy A mark of 155 is fair on the balance of what he's achieved – he won his second National off 4lb higher – but it's difficult to gauge exactly what he has achieved in recent seasons, particularly when beating Easysland on that horse's unfavoured ground in the Cross Country, in which he was probably flattered. He's an exceptional horse but I wouldn't be having a bet in the race at this stage and even if I was I'd rather side with one of the more unexposed candidates.

Robbie Not for me but we've written him off before and he's proved us wrong. He'll be 12 in January and eventually time will catch up with him. I'd like to see his mark come down a bit from 155 to give him a fighting chance at his age but leniency from the British handicapper seems unlikely, unless he runs a couple of stinkers before his Cross Country target in March.

Tom I wouldn't want to back Tiger Roll for the National with free money. He's had a phenomenal career and will leave an unbelievable legacy after two victories in the Grand National, but he's an 11-year-old now against younger and more talented rivals. It would be the story of the season if he returned to Aintree and recorded a third success, but I won't be punting him.

Gold Cup longshot? Allan Morton

MaddyEklat De Rire is the obvious one at 33-1, but that could date very quickly if he disappoints in the Ladbrokes Trophy (3.00 Newbury)! Next Destination could also be a candidate. I'd be looking towards those strong-staying handicappers to see if they can improve. I don't think it's the deepest division, so there's every chance of a new star emerging.

Robbie I've already backed Galvin at 33-1 but he's half the price now. If pushed for a bet I would back Fiddlerontheroof at a standout 66-1. I fancy him to go close in the Ladbrokes Trophy on Saturday and he will probably be around a 20-1 chance if he wins at Newbury. His Colin Parker victory on his comeback was impressive and I think he'll be suited by the step up to 3m2f, while he was one of the stable's shining lights last season when the Tizzard yard was generally out of form.

Tom A Plus Tard's Betfair Chase romp makes him the horse to beat. Provided his preparation goes well, I'll probably back Henry de Bromhead's market leader, which doesn't help answer your longshot question! The only other runner in the market who interests me is Chantry House, who could prove to be value at around 12-1. The issue is that we haven't seen him perform against talented elders over fences at this stage.

Tom thinks Chantry House could emerge as a Gold Cup contender in 2022Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Given the time Nube Negra posted in the Shloer, will Shishkin go Ryanair? R Simpson

Maddy I don't think there's much chance of that, but it wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world if Energumene went for the race. The Mullins team are adamant they have unfinished business with Chacun Pour Soi and, unlike him, Energumene has winning form over further. If anything happens to Allaho, who looks nailed on for the Ryanair, I can see him plugging that gap.

Robbie I can't see that. He is unbeaten over 2m and there's no evidence to suggest that is not his optimum trip. Nube Negra is potentially top class but he hasn't shown enough for his rivals to run scared of him just yet.

Tom Who knows where Shishkin will end up . . .

Fiddlerontheroof. Hot tip or hot potato. Good last year when his stable was in the doldrums. Great return in a race at Carlisle that is always used as a stepping stone to better things. Stable bang in form. What's not to like? (Remastered as a value each-way alternative) Kev Horsley

Maddy He should be competitive off his mark, but he can flatter to deceive when he comes off the bridle and he also has been known to bleed, so I have question marks about his effectiveness over 3m2f. I'd worry he was just below the very top level and there are more unknown quantities in the field, so he wouldn't be for me at 9-2.

Robbie Hot tip for me but I'm biased as I backed him at 9-1 after the Colin Parker. I agree with everything you're saying. He has a lovely profile going into the race and I'm a bit surprised we haven't heard more discussion about his claims in the build-up to the Ladbrokes Trophy.

Tom Our colleague David Jennings made a good case for Fiddlerontheroof on the Friday preview Postcast (you might want to listen to that if you need a confidence boost!), but I don't like him myself. He beat a good field in the Colin Parker Memorial at Carlisle but he has so often been the bridesmaid in his career and he's plenty short enough in a competitive race. I love Enrilo for trainer Paul Nicholls. Three of his six victories have come after a break, this has been his target since he crossed the line in front in the bet365 Gold Cup and he has proven form at Newbury.

Hello. I'm a huge fan of Goshen but I can't figure out what's gone wrong? Would you give up on him now or can he still be the top-class horse he once looked? Sam Bennett

Maddy He blows hot and cold, doesn't he? But, in his defence, his run in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown wasn't that bad and I think you can forget his run in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot, where being held up plainly didn't suit him. There also must have been a problem at Cheltenham, as he didn't hang like that on his previous runs at the course. I'll reserve judgement until his next run. If he gets his own way out in front in the International Hurdle he could bounce back.

The Goshen conundrum: what would you do with him now?Credit: Bill Selwyn (Pool)

Robbie He's a tricky horse to catch right. His horror fall at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle might have scarred him and he hasn't quite been the same horse since, apart from in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in February. He was brilliant there and perhaps just needs heavy ground to show his best. He's still only five so is not one to give up on.

Tom Every horse needs a fan club and Goshen's is probably bigger than he deserves! Of course, he was exceptionally unlucky in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle and looked to bounce back to his absolute best in the Kingwell Hurdle last year, but otherwise he's been disappointing. Although Gary Moore knows a lot more about training than I do, I'd send him chasing now.

Who can stop the Irish trainers winning all our top-class races? Colin Birley

Maddy I'm not sure much can at the moment, Colin!

Robbie More major ownership operations investing in British yards rather than Irish.

Tom Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton have powerful teams, but it's going to be difficult to get one over on the Irish at the moment. I think you'd be looking at the likes of Third Time Lucki, Shishkin and Buzz for our best chances at the Cheltenham Festival.

I believe at Fairyhouse on Sunday that Honeysuckle will join Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple's Jade as three-time winners of the Hatton's Grace Hurdle. By what distance do the panel think she'll win by?James Gibson-Wynes

Maddy She was only a narrow winner in the race last season and although I think she'll be more forward now, her win at Punchestown in April suggests she's getting wiser to the game and knows she doesn't need to overexert herself. I think anyone betting on big winning margins could get their fingers burned given the role this race is likely to play in the context of her season as a whole.

Robbie fancies Saldier to upset Honeysuckle on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Robbie I don't think Honeysuckle will win. I was convinced Klassical Dream would have her measure but he hasn't turned up and I'm siding with his stablemate Saldier. Willie Mullins has nurtured this Grade 1 winner back to full health this season and if he's going to beat Honeysuckle it's on her return. She only just defeated Ronald Pump and Beacon Edge in this last season and Saldier is better than that pair. His comfortable last-time-out victory has been franked by Darasso winning a Grade 2 at Navan. He looks a great each-way bet at 7-1.

TomRonald Pump might be her biggest danger in first-time blinkers, but Honeysuckle should get the job done. I don't know what winning margin markets are currently on offer, but I'd be taking the under.

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2021 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury: the runners, the odds, the verdict

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