'Best odds guaranteed is a safety blanket that arguably shouldn't exist'

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

Every Friday we – that's Punt regulars Tom Collins, Maddy Playle and Robbie Wilders (Punting Club membership numbers #1, #2 and #3) – will answer your questions on the weekend's racing action, share our best bets . . . and, when necessary, ruthlessly highlight the flaws in each other's arguments.

You can submit your questions via this link each week, but read on to see what we have to say this week . . .

When did you realise the circus just wasn't for you?Mick Murphy

Robbie I did used to be a jester actually and the highlight of my career was back when I was 18. I turned up to Strawberry Moons nightclub in Maidstone with a pair of black socks covering my white trainers – a move the bouncers saw through immediately. Some punts don't come off and that's fine.

Barney Curley must have been an honorary member of the Punting Club. Who else would you invite to join?Johnny Elvis

Robbie I'd love to have him on board but, like John McCririck and Luke Harvey, I reckon he'd tear into me for not giving enough back to racing. Being a Chelsea fan I'd like to invite Marcos Alonso, who likes his racing. Essentially though, anyone who doesn't spit their dummy out when they lose a bet is welcome to join.

Tom John McCririck is a good shout. I'd like to have Monaghan's leading man Oliver Brady – famous for his punting personality – involved. Anyone that likes a discussion and/or bet on the US action automatically qualifies, too. Hit me up with who you think will win the Belmont Stakes next Saturday.

Maddy As you'll hopefully know from the Monday Postcasts and our other shows, I love chatting racing with Tom Segal. He's not afraid to have a different opinion from everyone else and has seen a lot more than I have in his time in racing! Plus he seems to tolerate me winding him up, which is a must and always fun.

Long list of winning gambles contributed to the popular legend of Barney Curley

I strongly fancy the favourite in the Derby, what chance?Martin Reape

Robbie Bolshoi Ballet clearly has a massive chance but hold fire on backing him until nearer the time. I'd imagine we will see some 5-2 or slightly bigger on the day. His claims are crystal clear but my only bet in the race so far is an each-way wager on Adayarat 33-1. The form of his narrow Sandown trial second is working out really well and I certainly don't think he deserves to be 20 points bigger than Third Realm based on their Lingfield meeting.

Tom I certainly wouldn't put you off Bolshoi Ballet. I keep trying to find horses to oppose him with – it's unlike me to not have a strong opinion on the Derby at this stage of the season – but I'm struggling. Mac Swiney is a player given his impressive Irish 2,000 Guineas victory and the pedigree to relish Epsom. Although it's the biggest Flat race of the year, I may not even have a bet in it unless I find some inspiration!

Maddy I really like him, Martin. He showed a beautiful turn of foot in the Derrinstown and he strikes me as an athletic horse who should handle Epsom well. That said, I've missed the boat a bit as he's generally 7-4 now, so wait until the day and you could get bigger. Of the remainder, I think both Lone Eagle (33-1) and Earlswood (50-1) would have cracking chances, especially if it turned up soft. The former is a real professional and a strong stayer who has already won at two demanding tracks in Newmarket and Goodwood, while the latter wouldn't be the first horse to reverse Chester form at Epsom and shapes like a promising stayer in the making.

Saturday, June 5: Cazoo Derby racecard and betting

What's the best horse to back this weekend?Adrian Harry

Robbie Njordin the John of Gaunt Stakes (3.30) at Haydock on Saturday. The penalties incurred by market leaders Safe Voyage (who was last on his return) and With Thanks (making her comeback in a much better race) mean I want something at a bigger price. Njord was an excellent winner of the Balmoral off a big weight on soft last season, and 7f on soft/heavy ground is probably his optimum set of conditions, which he gets here.

Tom Haydock's Saturday card may not be the most exciting but it certainly looks enticing for punters. Several stand out, but my most confident picks will be Safe Voyage (3.30) and Tarboosh(2.20). You don't get many horses with better Haydock form than Safe Voyage – form figures 11112 over this course and distance – and Tarboosh should benefit from the likely fast gallop in the Achilles Stakes with El Astronaute, Glamorous Anna, Ornate and Zargun all sure to go forward. He finished second in this race last year at Doncaster and looks primed to go one better on his second start since a wind op.

Maddy As I said last week, you'll find myself and Robbie often agree and that is certainly the case this weekend with Njord, who looks value at 9-1 in the John of Gaunt. Safe Voyage was too bad to be true in the Lockinge last time and there is no juice left in With Thanks' price, so it's worth siding with Jessica Harrington's charge, who doesn't have much to find with the protagonists and has been coming to the boil nicely. Keep your eye on Hasanabad (3.50) and Natty Night (5.35) at Chester, too.

Jamie Spencer: 'gets far too much stick' according to his number one fan Tom CollinsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Why is Jamie Spencer not in demand more?Sebastiano

Robbie I think Spencer is very much in demand – he just doesn't have to work every day of the week unlike many jockeys. You need to be good enough to pull that off and I commend him for it. It's important to switch off, hence why colleagues seldom hear a peep from me when I'm not working.

Tom Unlike Robbie, my colleagues probably hear too much of me when I'm not supposed to be working. I'm the opposite of Jamie Spencer in that regard, but he's one of my favourite jockeys. Jamie gets far too much stick. He's a proper horseman who can get a horse to go through their gears without even moving his hands. To ride with the poise and confidence he does, it's impossible to get it right every time.

Maddy Racing is a very fickle game, Sebastiano. One minute you're the flavour of the month and the next you're out. In terms of Jamie, I think he has simply recognised how best to approach the sport to suit him. Much like Frankie Dettori, he doesn't want to waste energy riding no-hopers at smaller tracks, which is something I think we can all relate to. He also has a very distinct style, which is bound to divide opinion, but I love that he's not tried to change to fit in with what other people want.

'When Frankie is having a big day I would rather be in Alcatraz'

Is anything going to beat Bielsa in the Betway Handicap (1.45) at Haydock?David Lace

Robbie I reckon Helveziamight off 93. I'd be worried by the drop to 6f if the ground was quick but on soft/heavy this should be right up her alley. This filly relished testing conditions on her final start of last season when third in a Goodwood Listed race last time, while the first-time booking of Frankie Dettori suggests connections mean business. Dettori has either won or finished second on eight of the 18 rides he has taken for Ralph Beckett. She looks a good each-way play at double-figure odds.

Tom Bielsa – the horse and football manager – is very beatable. Probably wise to focus on the horse here, he has already lost on five occasions when sent off as favourite. I can't have him despite plenty being in his favour. Bernardo O'Reilly would be my suggestion at a big price. He caught the eye when sixth in this race in 2019 and made a highly encouraging reappearance at Ascot. Now he's down to his last winning mark of 87.

Maddy It's not a race I would ever approach with much confidence, David. The one who caught my eye was Royal Context around 18-1. He's been lightly raced compared to some of these and his form figures at the track read 21. He was underwhelming on his return to action last time but an SP of 10-1 shows it wasn't a total surprise and he's now down to his last winning mark, so if he comes forward he could easily be involved.

Do the panel think Give It Some Teddy has a live chance (3.45 Saturday) at Beverley?Allan Morton

Tom He has a chance, for sure, but he is the typical cliff horse. Rarely does he run without being backed and he doesn't often produce the goods that punters want. Interestingly, he is now back with Tim Easterby after a stint at Stuart Williams' yard, so maybe that will reinvigorate him. However, if you back Give It Some Teddy more than twice in a season then you're formally declined entry to the Punting Club.

Are there any Royal Ascot types lurking in the Hilary Needler (2.00 Beverley) field?Peter Cole

Tom At the time of answering this question, I'm about to write the Racing Post preview analysis for the Hilary Needler so I'm yet to really get stuck into the form and pedigrees. However, I always look out for Cool Silk-owned runners on this Beverley card. They tend to enter their best two-year-olds in the Hillary Needler and Two Year Old Trophy. Watch out for newcomer Jazzy Princess.

Maddy Ebro River gave a fair boost to Kyber Crystal's form when winning the National Stakes at Sandown on Thursday, but she would need to take another huge leap forward to be under serious consideration for one of the Royal Ascot races. As TC has pointed out, those Cool Silk partnership horses are usually targeted at this meeting, so don't underestimate them.

Hollie Doyle: Group 1-winning jockey, Spoty third and one of Flat racing's leading lightsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Would you say Hollie Doyle is the best female jockey in the world at the moment?Mitchell Gaynor

Tom Hollie Doyle is phenomenal, but I'd have Rachael Blackmore narrowly ahead of her. Both of them have excellent tactical racing brains and often find themselves in the best position – and that is why they're leading lights in the sport.

Hi guys, I would love to see the TV programme that puts on a free competition for the viewers of the horseracing instead of charging for a high-price phone number to enter a competition. After all, give something back to the punters.David Downey

Robbie I'm not 100 per cent sure what you're alluding to here David but I actually think punters have it better than ever. Best odds guaranteed is a safety blanket that arguably shouldn't exist and some of the place terms on offer in big handicaps are crazy these days. My only gripes are the inevitability of heavy restrictions and account closures.

18+ #BeGambleAware

Read more on Saturday's racing:

2.00 Beverley: 'You couldn't back her after that first run but she's certainly got ability'

2.20 Haydock: 'There are no worries' – El Astronaute ready for launch again in Achilles Stakes

2.40 Chester: what is it about Boardman that impressed our handicappers so much?

2.55 Haydock: who will peak in the Pinnacle Stakes? Get the lowdown from Tom Collins

3.10 Beverley: 'He's quite a nice animal' – Tipperary Sunset bids to live up to tall reputation

3.30 Haydock: can course specialist Safe Voyage give John Quinn another big winner?

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