Who the experts are backing: 25 predictions revealed as greats ...

Sometimes it’s best to leave it to the experts. When it comes to tipping a winner of Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, that might just be the case.

From former winners – both jockeys and trainers – to top journalists and professional tipsters, we’ve compiled a list of expert tips for the “race that stops the nation”.

There’s plenty of love for the favourite Vauban, especially after drawing a favourable barrier three for the 3200m trip around Flemington. Without A Fight and Soulcombe are also in the mix according to the experts.

But last year, just three of 40 experts tipped the winner Gold Trip, with 17 of the 40 backing the favourite Deauville Legend. So anything can happen – and please, gamble responsibly.

Here’s what 25 experts tipped for the big race. This story will be updated, so check back for more expert tips as they come through.

And if you need the basics on how to bet, here’s our betting guide for dummies.

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JIMMY CASSIDY (Two-time winner)

1. VAUBAN

2. Without A Fight

3. Soulcombe

4. Gold Trip

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MICHELLE PAYNE (2015 winner on Prince of Penzance)

1. WITHOUT A FIGHT

2. Vauban

3. More Felons

4. Gold Trip

GLEN BOSS (Three-time winner with Makybe Diva)

1. VAUBAN

2. Without A Fight

3. Soulcombe

4. Absurde

PETER MOODY (Legendary trainer including of Black Caviar)

1. VAUBAN

2. Gold Trip

3. Soulcombe

4. Future History

TREVOR MARSHALLSEA (Foxsports.com.au)

1. VAUBAN

2. Alenquer

3. Gold Trip

4. Without A Fight

DANIEL NUTTALL (Foxsports.com.au)

1. WITHOUT A FIGHT

2. Soulcombe

3. More Felons

4. Future History

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DANIEL SANKEY (News Corp)

1. WITHOUT A FIGHT

2. Vauban

3. Gold Trip

4. Vow and Declare

MATT WILLIAMS (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Future History

3. Soulcombe

4. Gold Trip

STEPHEN BRASSEL (News Corp)

1. SOULCOMBE

2. Vauban

3. Gold Trip

4. Without A Fight

GILBERT GARDINER (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. More Felons

3. Valiant King

4. Ashrun

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RAY THOMAS (News Corp)

1. SOULCOMBE

2. Vauban

3. Without A Fight

4. Gold Trip

BRAD WATERS (News Corp)

1. WITHOUT A FIGHT

2. Vauban

3. Gold Trip

4. Breakup

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Without A Fight

3. Soulcombe

4. Gold Trip

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SCOTT GULLAN (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Soulcombe

3. Interpretation

BEN DORRIES (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Soulcombe

3. Alenquer

4. Gold Trip

MITCH COHEN (News Corp)

1. GOLD TRIP

2. Without A Fight

3. Vauban

4. Absurde

TRENTON AKERS (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. More Felons

3. Gold Trip

4. Lastotchka

JETT HATTON (News Corp)

1. GOLD TRIP

2. Vauban

3. Soulcombe

4. Without A Fight

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ADAM SHERRY (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Without A Fight

3. Soulcombe

4. Gold Trip

SHAYNE O’CASS (News Corp)

1. CLEVELAND

2. Vauban

3. Lastotchka

4. Future History

ALEX DONNELLY (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Without A Fight

3. Absurde

4. More Felons

ADAM DOBBIN (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Breakup

3. Gold Trip

4. Absurde

CLINTON PAYNE (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Without A Fight

3. Gold Trip

4. Future History

LUKE SHEEHAN (News Corp)

1. VAUBAN

2. Without A Fight

3. Future History

4. Vow And Declare

JAMES LAMB (Punters.com.au)

1. BREAKUP

2. Vauban

3. Gold trip

4. Without A Fight

KATELYN MALLYON (Ex G1-winning jockey, via Punters.com.au)

1. VAUBAN

2. Gold Trip

3. Soulcombe

4. Ashrun