Runner-by-runner guide and best betting tips

The TAB's runner-by-runner guide explains the strengths and weaknesses of all the horses in the Melbourne Cup field.

The Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday at 5:00 pm. The TAB's runner-by-runner guide explains the strengths and weaknesses of all the horses in the field.

1 Best Solution won the Caulfield Cup. He has won three Group 1 races on the trot.

2 The Cliffsofmoher is a talented Team Williams runner with the Aidan O'Brien yard. It finished third in the Caulfield Cup.

Magic Circle has won both races this year by six lengths. The jockey is Corey Brown.

4 Chestnut Coat is a Japanese visitor that ran fifth in the Tenno Sho in April. He was ordinary in Caulfield Cup and won't be getting any of The Shark's cash.

Muntahaa won the Ebor last start in August carrying 62.5kg and beat a field of 20. His best form has been at 2600m and beyond.

Sound Check is a former German galloper with the Mike Moroney stable. It was beaten by Best Solution in August at the last run in its homeland. Sound Check didn't give much in the G1 Caulfield Cup.

7 Who Shot Thebarman is a 10-year-old horse that is racing in his fourth Melbourne Cup. He won the Sydney Cup this year and ran on a treat in the Moonee Valley Cup and is worth $61.

8 Ace High is a tough horse but he's never screamed out through two miles. He finished fourth in the G1 George Main and won a weak G2 Hill Stakes. Ace high is going forward and that won't suit him in Melbourne Cup.

9 Marmelo is a stayer back for his second Melbourne Cup. It ran ninth here last year after jumping $7 and was backed. This year he's been super with an LR win in the UK and a G2 win from four starts.

10 Avilius finished fourth in the Cox Plate. Godolphin import won four straight races before coming to Australia.

Yucatan won his first race in Australia at the G2 Herbert Power. He has had only 13 starts and is on the up.

12 Auvray is a former French galloper now with Richard Freedman. He was beaten in the Metropolitan and St Leger.

Zec Purton, son of Frankel, is a jockey trained by Chris Waller. He won at G3 level two runs back in France and placed in the Geelong Cup.

Red Cardinal is a $71.14 Red Cardinal. Trainer Darren Weir has trained him. Jockey Damien Oliver is an ex-international who ran 11th in the Melbourne Cup last year. He also finished third in St Leger.

Patrick Moloney's horse Vengeur Masque won the Geelong Cup and Melbourne-version of the Queen Elizabeth last year. He has not done enough in four runs this time.

Ventura Storm won the Moonee Valley Cup when well backed. He has run some huge races in the past including winning a G1 in UK and finishing second behind Winx in 2017 Turnbull.

A Prince of Arran is a UK visitor who has been sensational in two Australian runs.

No. 18 Nakeeta is the last horse in. He was dreadful in the Moonee Valley Cup and his overseas form has been poor.

19 Sir Charles Road is a training horse. He won the Auckland Cup in January and finished third in Bendigo Cup.

20 Zacada is a Baker/Forsman galloper who finished in the bottom half of the field in all four runs this preparation. Zacado finished second in Sydney Cup in April at big odds.

No. 21 Runaway is a Gai Waterhouse hope who won the Geelong Cup. He's not bred for two miles and the Cup is not a race for leaders.

22 Youngstar is a contender for the Caulfield Cup. He was trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Craig Williams.

23 Cross Counter is a Godolphin UK visitor having just his eighth start. He won four races, the biggest was a four-horse Group 3 over 2414m.

24 Rostropovich is a horse that won at G2 level back in the UK. It ran fifth in G1 Cox Plate.

Yucatan is favourite for the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m, G2). Marmelo was a big let down last year. Who Shot The Barman is a sentimental favourite. Cross Counter is lightly raced 3-year-old but has won at 2800 metres. Charlie Appleby is trainer.   The winner will be decided on barrier 19. The runner-by-runner guide and best betting tips are here.