Melbourne Cup 2017 Runner Guide

1. HARTNELL

(James Cummings, Australia/Damian Lane)

Smart performer when trained in Britain by Mark Johnston, but taken form to a new level in Australia since. Good third in this race last year, and has been running well for the best part this season, but needs to bounce back from a lesser effort in Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield last time. Return to longer trip will suit.

2. ALMANDIN

(Robert Hickmott, Australia/Frankie Dettori)

Missed 2015 with a tendon injury but proved better than ever last year, completing a hat-trick in this race 12 months ago. Has had a similar prerparation this time around, though rather disappointing when beaten by Amelie’s Star last time. However, Frankie Dettori booked and a big run expected.

3. HUMIDOR

(David Weir, Australia/Blake Shinn)

Very smart performer who won Makybe Diva Stakes by three and a quarter lengths from Hartnell in September and was better than ever when finishing runner-up to Winx in the Cox Plate last time. Has stamina to prove but a leading player on form following that effort and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

4. TIBERIAN

(Alain Couetil, France/Olivier Peslier)

Strong, lengthy horse who won listed race at Saint-Cloud in March, Prix d'Hedouville on same course in May, then Prix de Reux at Deauville and Grand Prix de Deauville (beat Doha Dream by short neck, leading inside final furlong). Arrives in top form and holds sound frame claims.

5. MARMELO

(Hughie Morrison/Hugh Bowman)

Closely related to winner up to 1½m Valerius Maximus and half-brother to three winners, including smart 1¾m-16.4f winner Vent de Force and useful 2-y-o 1m winner (stayed 2m) Halling's Quest. Smart performer who won Prix de Barbeville at Chantilly in April and Prix Kergorlay at Deauville (by one and a quarter lengths from Desert Skyline) in August. Shaped very well in Caulfield Cup last time finishing two and three quarter lengths equal sixth of 17 behind Boom Time, finishing strongest of all. Will stay 2m and looks a leading player under Hugh Bowman.

6. RED CARDINAL

(Andreas Wohler, Germany/Kerrin McEvoy)

Good-topped gelding who won three times for David Simcock in 2016. Won first two starts this year, namely Oleander-Rennen at Hoppegarten (beat Nearly Caught by one and a quarter lengths) in May and Grade 3 Belmont Gold Cup (by neck from St Michel) in June. Just fair fifth to Marmelo in Prix Kergorlay at Deauville last time.

7. JOHANNES VERMEER

(Aidan O’Brien, Ireland/Ben Melham)

Very smart performer who won International Stakes at the Curragh (by half a length from Success Days) in July. Runner-up next two starts in Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown (probably should have won when beaten half a length by Spanish Steps, nearest finish having conceded first run) and Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield (went down by a head to Gailo Chop, staying on well). Bit short of room several times from two furlongs out when one and a half lengths third of 17 to Boom Time in Caulfield Cup last time, staying on well final 100 yard. Will stay at least 1¾m. Very much respected.

8. BONDI BEACH

(Robert Hickmott, Australia/Michael Walker)

Could only finish mid-field behind Almandin in this race last year when trained by Aidan O’Brien. Nearer last than first both starts for new connections since, again well held behind Almandin in listed race at this course last time. Plenty to prove.

9. MAX DYNAMITE

(Willie Mullins, Ireland/Michael Walker)

Quite attractive gelding. Won Lonsdale Cup at York (by four and a half lengths from Mizzou) in 2015. Unlucky when half-length second of 24 to Prince of Penzance in this race on his next start. Below form both outings in 2016. Fit from hurdling and completed simple task when winning six-runner minor event at Killarney last time by three lengths from Sandymount Duke, storming clear after leading on bridle in the final furlong. Commands respect.

10. VENTURA STORM

(David A & B Hayes/Tom Dabernig, Australia/Glen Boss)

Smart three-year-old when trained by Richard Hannon, finishing second to Harbour Law in the St Leger at Doncaster in 2016. Best effort for new yard when finishing six and a half lengths second to Winx last month but held behind Boom Time at Caulfield since.

11. Who Shot Thebarman

(Chris Waller, Australia/Non Runner)

Non runner.

12. WICKLOW BRAVE

(Willie Mullins/Stephen Baster)

Strong, workmanlike gelding. Smart performer, won Irish St Leger at the Curragh (by half a length from Order of St George) in 2016. Best effort this year when fourth in Grade 3 Belmont Gold Cup (two and a quarter lengths behind Red Cardinal) in June. Respectable five and a quarter lengths twelfth of 17 behind Boom Time in Caulfield Cup last time.

13. BIG DUKE

(Darren Weir, Australia/Brenton Avdulla)

Smart performer who won minor event at Randwick last month and ran well when beaten two lengths by Who Shot Thebarman in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup last time. Each-way claims.

14. US ARMY RANGER

(Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Ireland/Jamie Spencer)

Well-made colt. Smart performer who was unraced at two years, but won maiden at the Curragh and Chester Vase in 2016. Strong-finishing second to Harzand in Derby at Epsom in June that year but has has proved most disappointing since. Below form when seven and a half lengths last of 6 to Eziyra in Enterprise Stakes at Leopardstown last time. Has since left Aidan O’Brien.

15. BOOM TIME

(David A & B Hayes/Tom Dabernig, Australia/Cory Parish)

Has shown improved form this year, running best race to date when winning Caulfield Cup by one and a quarter lengths from Single Gaze last time. Several of these in behind that day, too, and should be thereabouts if staying this longer trip.

16. GALLANTE

(Robert Hickmott, Australia/Michael Dee)

Very smart performer when trained by Andre Fabre in France, and won Sydney Cup at Randwick last year, but needs to improve on what he’s shown in two starts so far this year if he’s to figure. Well beaten in this race last year.

17. LIBRAN

(Chris Waller, Australia/Dwayne Dunn)

Smart handicapper when trained by Alan Swinbank in Britain and has managed to win four times for new connections in Australia. Last win came in Group 3 at Randwick in September and very good second to Who Shot Thebarman in Moonee Valley Cup last time. Still, bit more needed here.

18. NAKEETA

(Iain Jardine/Glyn Schofield)

Smart handicapper who recorded a career-best effort when winning 19-runner Ebor at York last time by a head from Flymetothestars, weaving through, leading last 100 yards and holding on gamely. Stays 2¼m and deserves a crack at this big prize.

19. SINGLE GAZE

(Nick Olive, Australia/Kathy O’Hara)

Best effort for a while when finishing one and a quarter lengths second to Boom Time in the Caulfield Cup last time, ridden to lead over two furlongs out until no extra in the closing stages. Has stamina to prove.

20. WALL OF FIRE

(Hugo Palmer/Craig Williams)

Smart performer who won handicaps at Haydock, York (Melrose Stakes) and Doncaster (Mallard Stakes) in 2016. Second this year in listed race at Nottingham, Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury (beaten three quarters of a length by Defoe) and Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield (length behind Lord Fandango). Should continue to give a good account.

21. THOMAS HOBSON

(Willie Mullins, Ireland/Joao Moreira)

Lengthy gelding. Smart performer who won Ascot Stakes (Handicap) at Royal Ascot (by six lengths from Endless Acres) in June. Creditable one and a half lengths second to Desert Skyline in Doncaster Cup last time, sticking to task well. Stays 2½m and a bold bid expected.

22. REKINDLING

(Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Ireland/Corey Brown)

Good-topped colt. Very smart performer who won Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in April and Curragh Cup in July. Continued progress when finishing over four lengths second to Order of St George in Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh and two lengths fourth of 11 to Capri in St Leger at Doncaster (nearest finish) last time. Will be suited by 2m.

23. AMELIE’S STAR

(Darren Weir, Australia/Dean Yendall)

Won Group 3 handicap here last month by two lengths from Granddukeoftuscany, ridden over a furlong out and keeping on strongly to win comfortably. Should be suited by the longer trip here and she isn’t without hope.

24. CISMONTANE

(Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Australia/Beau Mertens)

Won handicap at Moonee Valley in August and has run well on his last three starts, winning a handicap by a head from Vengeur Masque here last time. Likely to give his running again but several of these have stronger form in the book.

Timeform Analyst Verdict:

It's hard not to be drawn to Marmelo following his eye-catching run in the Caulfield Cup last time, finishing best of all over an arguably inadequate 1½m trip, and though he has a relatively wide draw to overcome, connections have secured the services of top Australian rider Hugh Bowman, so a big run is very much on the cards. Last year's winner Almandin also commands respect under Frankie Dettori, along with Johannes Vermeer, in what looks a typically-competitive renewal.