Introducing the Punting Club, our all-new and exclusive weekend tipping service

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 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 . . .

Can Van Gogh win the Derby after maybe a placed effort in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20 Curragh) on Saturday?Richard A Barnard

Tom The bloke cut his own ear off, what can't Van Gogh do? In all seriousness, it is hard to get a handle on the three-year-old colts pecking order at Ballydoyle, especially when most of them disappointed on their reappearance runs. You would assume that Bolshoi Ballet and High Definition are ahead of Van Gogh for the Cazoo Derby. If he hits the frame on Saturday then I'd still be sceptical, but an impressive victory might be enough to make me warm to the idea. It's certainly a weak division this year.

3.20 Curragh Saturday: Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas racecard and betting

Maddy Why only place, Richard? I don't think winning would be beyond Van Gogh in what looks a really uninspiring race. American Pharoah's progeny love a bit of soft ground and he's a really strong stayer, so I'd definitely have him firmly on my radar for this weekend and indeed in the future, wherever Aidan O'Brien decides to run him. I know Robbie likes him too, which is good. You'll soon learn we both like trying to find value, whereas TC likes finding winners!

Ainsdale for the Temple Stakes (4.10 Haydock) on Saturday? He's by Mayson so with the weather that's around in the next few days Haydock will be soft at best, and his last run at Chester was decent behind El Astronaute.Kevin Hogg

Robbie You're right – he should love this ground. Mason Mount tends to play well for Chelsea whenever it rains, too. My gut feeling is he isn't quite good enough at this level, though, and giving weight to Liberty Beach, Keep Busy and Que Amoro will prove too tough.

Tom I like that you're focusing on a runner with soft-ground form and I was also taken by Ainsdale's run behind El Astronaute. However, he might be biting off more than he can chew in the Temple. Instead, I came down on Lady In France, who similarly relishes testing conditions and has solid past performances that tie in nicely with Keep Busy and Que Amoro, who sit towards the top of the market. The frustrating thing for both of us is that there are just seven runners and therefore only two places on offer!

4.10 Haydock Saturday: Casumo Best Odds Guaranteed Temple Stakes racecard and betting

MaddyI like your style, Kevin. I spoke to Karl Burke before he ran at Chester and he couldn't tell me enough how much this horse needs heavy ground. He also told me he'd always thought a lot of him, so I'd expect there to be more to come this season. However, he needs to concede 3lb to the fillies and mares and the fact there are only seven runners tempers my enthusiasm somewhat.

I have Law Of One earmarked as a likely type for the Ebor and he is a strong fancy off a mark of 91 for 2.35 at Newmarket on Saturday. I expect to see him win this comfortably before lining up at Royal Ascot. Am I tilting at windmills? John Larking

Robbie There's nothing wrong with that John as windmills are an important source of renewable energy. I'll be backing him on Saturday as well if the price is right. He looked electric at Doncaster on his return and the third has come out and won since. He's also a half-brother to Cloth Of Stars so has every chance of being much better than his mark.

Tom Don't worry about the Ebor, John, as William Haggas has that under control with Ilaraab! Regarding Newmarket on Saturday, Law Of One is definitely the most likely winner in my book. He didn't have much to beat on his reappearance at Doncaster but I loved the way he finished his race off. Both of his victories have come off slow early gallops, so he clearly possesses a pretty potent turn of foot for a stayer. It is time to see what he is made of.

Saturday's cards and betting

I'm a big fan of the sprinter Dragon Symbol – would you recommend backing him at 3-1 for the Sandy Lane Stakes (3.35) at Haydock this weekend, or snap up the 10-1 available for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, or both?Dan Belmore

Robbie He looked mustard last time. I tend to have more success betting ante-post and would have a point on each race if I were you. The edges you can gain in advance before big meetings more often than not give you a major head start. However, I won't be joining you as he needs to prove he can do it on slower ground on turf and this is a very warm race. Cases can be made for nearly all the runners.

3.35 Haydock Saturday: Casumo Bet10Get10 Sandy Lane Stakes racecard and betting

Tom Dragon Symbol certainly looks a fiery sort. He ran a sub 11-second furlong on his way to his third victory and proved he could do it on turf last time. We need a new sprinter on the scene but, like Robbie, I don't think he will necessarily appreciate the testing conditions. If you think he's good enough for the Commonwealth Cup, I'd advise waiting until after the race. If he loses you'll get better odds – and you know he'll probably bounce back when the ground firms up.

Dragon Symbol: smart sprinter who is well fancied for the Commonwealth Cup next monthCredit: Andrew Parker / John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Maddy I love him too, Dan, and I really want him to be very good. However, I'm with the lads. This race will ask even more of him and the beauty is if he loses you'll get a bigger price for the Commonwealth Cup afterwards. I'd argue Umm Kulthum is a couple of points too big at around 12-1. She was disappointing in the Fred Darling but she will be fitter now and these conditions should suit her.

How is the ground likely to be at York on Saturday? According to the weather forecast it will probably be soft to heavy and will starters come from Ireland? If not, 9-4 for Believe In Love (2.40) looks tempting?Roland Arras

Robbie Your guess is as good as mine, Roland. Soft going looks spot on, though. Your selection is the right favourite but I'm not itching to back her first time out under a penalty. If the real Flor De La Luna turns up she has a big chance.

2.40 York Saturday: William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies' Stakes racecard and betting

Who's the favourite to stay away from this weekend?Tim Jenkins

Robbie Joan Of Arc in the Irish 1,000 Guineas (3.15 Curragh, Sunday) has been a bad favourite all week. She has no Group 1 form and testing ground raises doubts at this level. I've backed Fev Rover and No Speak Alexander each-way at 6-1 and 11-1 respectively. These fillies will love the conditions. No Speak Alexander recorded a better RPR than Joan Of Arc did in their respective trial victories on what was her first run of the campaign, while Fev Rover has scored on very soft ground at Deauville and ran an absolute blinder in the 1,000 Guineas last time.

Joan Of Arc: 'shouldn't be favourite for the Irish 1,000 Guineas' according to Tom CollinsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Tom Good question. Unfortunately, I agree with Robbie that Joan Of Arc shouldn't be favourite for the Irish 1,000 Guineas – I would have loved to disagree with him but that can wait until next week. As much as I like Dragon Symbol (3.35 Haydock), the ground has to be a huge concern. Raadobarg is also too short in the preceding three-year-old handicap (3.00 Haydock). He beat trees last time and an opening mark of 89 doesn't look overly lenient.

3.15 Curragh Sunday: Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas racecard and betting

Maddy The great thing about the fact I'm answering these questions last is that I can have the final word, which I assure you is usually the case with myself, Robbie and TC anyway! I'm not saying I'm going to be wading in at 5-2 but I think they could both have Joan Of Arc wrong. She won her maiden on soft/heavy ground and her family eat Classics for breakfast. She's the sort of horse I think could just keep improving.

I really fancied Pretty Gorgeous for the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket but she didn't run due to a dirty scope. I think her Fillies' Mile form is working out well. Do you agree that she can win first time out on ground she should like in the Irish 1,000 Guineas?Michael Eason

Tom That setback puts me off slightly first time up, although I completely agree that she has the best juvenile form on show. If she turned up in the 1,000 Guineas with a sound prep run, which proved that she trained on from two to three, I think it would be hard to oppose her. However, I can't justify backing her with a trouble preparation in an Irish Classic at around 9-4. She's on my watchlist.

Master Of The Seas (near side) beats La Barrosa in the Craven Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Is La Barrosa a good each-way shout for the Irish 2,000 Guineas?Luke Mccaffery

Robbie I wouldn't put you off with plenty of firms offering four places for each-way betting but my gut feeling is he won't be quite good enough. I want to take on favourite Lucky Vega on this ground over this trip and I feel Van Gogh has been hugely underestimated. He finished ahead of Wembley and Battleground in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, yet is a bigger price than both. I don't understand that considering he was a four-length Group 1 winner on heavy at two and should relish these testing conditions.

What is the best horseracing bet of the weekend? Mark Sturney

Tom I'm going to give you two because I'm currently watching Dragons' Den and need to distract myself. Ralph Beckett has his runners firing on all cylinders at the moment and his three-year-old Oman (1.20 Haydock) gets my vote for the best bet of the weekend. He looked a completely different horse when upped to 1m4f on his return and will relish the ground. I hope you like a punt on the action Stateside, Mark, because I have one for you. Miss Teheran is a filly I'm keeping on the right side of in New York and she drops down in class for Chad Brown on Sunday (9.40 Belmont Park, race eight). No idea what price she will be with our firms but she has a potent change of gear.

Maddy That TC will try to get you into American racing? I've got to be honest Mark, I think it will be tough. I know something myself and Tom do agree on though is that Rossa Ryan has the makings of a future champion jockey. He's been banging in the winners for a whole host of trainers recently and I think he'll be spoken about in the same breath as Tom Marquand soon. He's got a nice book of rides at Newmarket on Saturday and Lostwithiel (3.40) in particular is one to keep an eye on.

Desert Encounter (yellow): his form figures (212) at Goodwood provides some confidenceCredit: Alan Crowhurst

I understand he hasn't won in a while, but Desert Encounter goes close in the 2.10 at Goodwood on Saturday doesn't he? Weakest race he's run in for a while, handles the forecast ground also, so he looks a bet to me. Thoughts?Daniel Woodhouse

Tom He is a perennial loser but this is his easiest task for a fair while and his form figures (212) at the track provides some confidence. I thought it was an exceptionally trappy edition of the Festival Stakes and I could make a strong case for four of the five runners. I ended up with Stormy Antarctic, who has bumped into a talented opponent on both starts this year and may have further improvement to come on his third start after a wind op. If we're head and head in the final furlong, I wish you all the best!

What's the first rule of Punting Club?Steve Adamson

Robbie Decent question from you, Steve. The first rule is to never put someone down for putting something up. Alternatively, please direct all negative press to Tom Collins.

Tom If that negative press results in a few new Twitter followers (@TomptinRP, by the way) then I'll take it. The rules of Punting Club are as follows: 1. Always talk about Punting Club 2. If someone yells 'Lift her, Frankie! Lift her!' then Punting Club is over 3. Everyone is able to join Punting Club 4. One Punt at a time, fellas. If you haven't got the tenuous Fight Club reference by this point then it wasn't worth it . . .

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Get more previews and tips:

3.20 Curragh: get the thoughts of Aidan O'Brien before Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas

2.45 Curragh: Glen Shiel bids to defy testing conditions in big sprint

3.35 Haydock: Graeme Rodway believes Sandy Lane favourite could be something special

4.10 Haydock: trainer record gives Liberty Beach and Keep Busy strong claims in Temple

Saturday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiples

Paul Kealy's Saturday banker at Goodwood

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Saturday afternoon

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