Melbourne Cup 2018 form guide: horses, tips, live odds, field, who will win, favourites at Flemington
Simon Marshall is a former champion jockey and 15-times Group 1 winner. He gives us his insights into all the runners in the 2018 Melbourne Cup.
BEST SOLUTION is the favourite at Flemington. He won the Caulfield Cup at Caufield. His previous three wins were over 2400m.
Melbourne Cup is taking place at Flemington on Sunday.
The Cliffsofmoher is a horse that finished third in the Caulfield Cup. He has a good jockey in Ryan Moore and a master trainer in Aidan O'Brien. It's his first race beyond 2400m and he's got a big weight in 56.5kg.
Magical Circle is the favourite for the Melbourne Cup. He has won his last two races by six lengths. Red Verdon was injured and was ruled out of the race.
4. Chinstrit Coat finished 13th in the Caulfield Cup. He's a Japanese stayer who went well over 3200m in Tenno Sho in Kyoto three runs back.
Muntaha is prepared by one of England's great trainers in John Gosden. He has a good jockey in Jim Crowley. Munta haa won by 3.25 lengths over 2816m in the Ebor Handicap at York last start.
SOUND CHECK is a German import with a top trainer in Mike Moroney. He won a 3200m G2 in Germany four starts back.
7. Who shot the barman (18) is having his fourth go at this race. He finished fourth last start in the Moonee Valley Cup. 10-year-old Barman won the 3200m Sydney Cup last autumn.
ACE HIGH is aiming to emulate Efficient by winning after taking the Victoria Derby a year before. ACE High disappointed in the Caulfield Cup when 15th after leading.
Marmelo is a France-based runner. Last year he finished ninth in the Caulfield Cup. He has been in good form with wins over 2800m and two seconds over 3000m at his past four starts.
AVILIUS is the favourite for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. He has won his first four starts in Australia. Avilius has not raced beyond The Bart Cummings. He finished fourth in the Cox Plate last start.
Yucatan is the clear Cup favourite at Flemington. He won the Herbert Power Stakes in his last start. Protectionist won Melbourne Cup in 2014.
AUVRAY is the favourite for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Finche joined Chris Waller stable from France recently. He finished third in Geelong Cup. Finchie has a tricky barrier but has good form in Europe.
Red Cardinal won twice over 3200m in group races in America and Germany last year. Last start he ran poorly in the Moonee Valley Cup. Damien Oliver picks up the ride late on.
Vengeur maseque is the favourite for Melbourne Cup at Flemington. He is unplaced in his past six runs.
16. Venetia Storm won the Moonee Valley Cup. Prince Of Penzance finished second in that race before winning the Cup in 2015.
A PRINCE OF ARRAN (20) won the Lexus Stakes over 2500m on Saturday. He's won over 3200m in Dubai and placed over the trip in America and England.
NAKEETA (3) is looking elsewhere after finishing 13th in the Moonee Valley Cup.
SIR CHARLES ROAD finished third in last week's Bendigo Cup. He's a long shot for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 19th.
Zacada came second in the Sydney Cup last autumn. He has been awful this preparation and has drawn the outside barrier.
Rutna is the favourite at Melbourne Cup. Gai Waterhouse has another runner. Stephen Baster won the Geelong Cup last year.
Younestar is a stayer from Chris Waller's yard. She finished second in the Turnbull Stakes two starts back and seventh in Caulfield Cup. Youngstar is expected to win the Melbourne Cup on 22nd November.
CROSS COUNTER (19) is a stayer with only 51kg on his back. He's trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. Last start he came second in a 2400m Group 2 at York and won a Group 3 at Goodwood.
24. ROSTOPOVICH (21) is a lightweight chance from the O'Brien stable. He finished fifth in the Cox Plate. It's his first go past 2400m and he's lightly raced with just 13 starts. Barrier 21 is his worry.
