2026 Melbourne Cup betting odds, runners & preview

William Dobbie Published: 9 hours ago

A maximum field of 24 will jump for the 166th running of the Melbourne Cup.

"The race that stops a nation" has grown and grown into a global behemoth that we see today, attracting not just a huge domestic audience, but also grabbing the attention of racing fans worldwide.

Almost 84,374 people attended Flemington for the 2025 renewal and similar numbers are expected in Melbourne ahead Tuesday's showpiece event.

Boasting a total prize money fund of £4,500,000, it is the richest handicap staged anywhere on the planet.

Breeders' Cup

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Point Of Law is the most interesting horse heading into the contest this year; sold by King Charles III and Queen Camilla for big money over the summer, he has found his way towards the head of the Cup market courtesy of a brilliant Geelong Cup performance. At just three, he is rapidly improving, has clear stamina and has received a favourable draw in nine.

Although JP McManus has two in the race, the billionaire owner will also be cheering on Hopewell Rock, who will don the colours of Wathnan Racing. McManus, in conjunction with fellow owner Paul Byrne, made public their support for the George Boughey-trained gelding at the annual pre-race Call of the Card ceremony. By French Derby winner New Bay, he was a good second in the Ebor, prior to landing a 1m6f handicap at Goodwood.

Taking their chance in McManus' famous green and gold hoops are Trustyourinstinct and Goodie Two Shoes. Both in training with Joseph O'Brien -- also responsible for three more in the race -- the latter finished runner-up in the Cup 12 months ago. She relishes the longer trip and got one the scoresheet at Group 2 level earlier this season in the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Despite her claims, it is Trustyourinstinct who is the more fancied of the two. Kiwi ace James McDonald jumps onboard for O'Brien and, despite being saddled with second top weight, has a leading chance. He drops into handicap company for the very first time and brings some extremely classy staying form to the table. He was last in the winner's circle in the Curragh Cup back in July and ran with great credit behind Scandinavia in the Irish St Leger last time out.

Every UK & Irish runner in the Melbourne Cup

Ciaron Maher looks to hold all the aces for the home team. Besides the small matter of Point Of Law, he sends an additional six to the Flemington feature. Middle Earth -- another ex-UK based horse -- fits plenty of the trends. The six-year-old ticks boxes for age, course form, weight and jockey, as well as finishing a decent eighth in the Cox Plate when last seen.

Maher, fresh off the back of Everest success with Tempted, is also expected to go well with Shockletz, Juja Kibo and Mr Monaco.