You will read a lot of positive comments about every runner in the 2021 Melbourne Cup, but the reality is there are only a handful of horses that have a genuine chance of winning.
To cut through the noise and get to the gist, we have rated each runner and provided you with a brutally honest assessment of your horse's chances in the big race.
The dominant all the way winner of last year's Melbourne Cup.
Produced a career peak in that run but is forced to carry an extra 3kg this year.
Looks like there's more pressure up front this year, so I'm happy to oppose. Can run top 10.
#WeightStopsTrains
Current Price $14
Rated Price $24.60
The clear top rated runner. His win in the Caulfield Cup was elite!
Looks as though the 3200m is right up his alley so he could easily produced a career peak.
Barrier 16 is a massive concern. You'll have 23 other jockeys doing their best to ensure he doesn't slot in.
If Prebble finds cover, you can join the queue, if he doesn't, it could feel like the longest 3 minutes of your life.
The best horse by a long way, but needs an assertive ride.
#Freak
Current Price $2.50
Rated Price $2.90
Overseas raider, who has elite form lines, running 0.2-L 2nd behind Stradivarius.
But the question is, how good is Stradivarius actually going???
He failed a vet check last week, which is a serious concern and his form lines could be misleading.
I've taken a set against him, many will not!
#MissionImpossible
Current Price $9.00
Rated Price $37.00
Ran a strong 7th from the back last year, but must carry an extra 1.5kg.
Gets J-Mac which is a huge plus and she will run out the 3200m.
If they go too fast up front, she can blouse them late.
#NeedForSpeed
Current Price $15
Rated Price $20.80
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Draws a good gate and trained by probably the best staying trainers in Australia.
Beaten some 14-lengths in the Caulfield Cup after suffering interreference.
Does best work on soft ground, won't get that this time and looks outclassed.
#PopNoBoom
Current Price $51
Rated Price $665
Prior to his Caulfield Cup failure you could have found a spot for him in your top 4.
But that run was awful, with no real excuses for mine.
Can't possibly back him off that effort.
#Lift
Current Price $61
Rated Price $73
Watch Michael Gannon and Dean Watling's early bets for Melbourne Cup week!
Another who flopped in the Caulfield Cup, but this one I'll be forgiving given it was on a Soft 6.
His runs prior were great and he now returns to a Good 3 surface, where he produced a career peak two back.
D Oliver sticks, which is a big push that he'll be able to bounce back.
Draws to do no work and can easily run a career peak.
#UnderTheRadar
Current Price $51
Rated Price $20.80
Like his name suggests, he likes it wet.
But even if rain did come, his career best wouldn't see him run top 10.
#GetInTheSea
Current Price $101
Rated Price $106.20
Love what the great man Chris Waller has done with this bloke.
He exploded with a career peak last preparation when 5th up in the Sydney Cup with Ron Stewart aboard.
Like clock work, he arrives here 5th up with Stewart booked to ride.
He's produced better figures this rep than last and as crazy as it seems, could easily produce a big run.
#WillSurpriseYou
Current Price $101
Rated Price $30.20
Give this guy a 10-length head start and he'd probably get beaten by half the field.
Not sure how much of a thrill it would be to see your horse get lapped, but each to their own.
#Spell
Current Price $101
Rated Price $999
Flopped on Saturday, which is not the ideal set-up.
Produced good figures to win Brisbane Cup on a dry track.
Blinkers come off and a repeat of his last 3200m run has him running top 10, but gee Saturday's effort was poor.
#OutOfOrder
Current Price $151
Rated Price $106
Comes from an astute yard and did run a cracking 5th in this race last year.
Lead up ratings aren't as good as last year, which suggest to me he'll peak here.
Was beaten 5.3-lengths by Incentivise, but meets him 1.5kg better at the weights and is drawn for a softer run.
Can close that gap and if the favourite has a horror run, then he can figure in the finish.
#SetToPeak
Current Price $35
Rated Price $17.50
Will run the 3200m out, but not quickly enough.
Great to see young Blaike McDougall get a ride, but this horse won't be winning.
#Next
Current Price $301
Rated Price $83.70
Like many before him, promised the world and has since delivered an atlas
#Pinooooooooooooooot
Current Price $101
Rated Price $139
He was average in the Moonee Valley Cup, but is from the right yard.
Rachel King rides well and from the inisde draw, he'll get a good run in transit.
Doubt he's good enough to be winning, but will give you a sight
#PonderThat
Current Price $41
Rated Price $18.10
Gets Kerrin McEvoy who wins this race for fun.
Astute stable and jockey, but doubt he'll overcome the draw and go to a new level.
#NotSoGrand
Current Price $20
Rated Price $45
Ran a bottler in the Sydney Cup over 3200m and blinkers go on first time.
If they overdo it in front, she can run into a place. Like Selino, over the odds and worth a place ticket.
#CrownBound
Current Price $151
Rated Price $41
Hasn't acclimatised since landing in Australia. Best O.S form is enough to run okay, but haven't seen that yet.
#WelcometoStrayaMate
Current Price $151
Rated Price $182
It won't be ideal if you draw her in the sweep.
Well below these
#LessThan
Current Price $101
Rated Price $141
Rated to his career best run and is still $81.
#LimitedFuture
Current Price $301
Rated Price $81
Has had a much better prep compared to when she tackled the 3200m in the Adelaide Cup.
Geelong Cup win was good and she peaks for this.
#Something
Current Price $17
Rated Price $17.50
Clear second-pick!
Is deadest flying and should have won at both his last starts. Could easily jump out of the ground!
Teo retains the ride after two shockers. This is what dreams are made of Teo!
#LiftNowTeo
Current Price $18
Rated Price $9.50
Was impressive on Saturday, but had race run to suit.
Loses J-Mac, which is a negative. Draws well and can be thereabouts.
#GoodHouse
Current Price $26
Rated Price $28.20
Ticks the box of Southern Hemisphere 3YO.
Boss loves the big stage, but the horse would need to grow a leg off overseas ratings.
Happy to let him go around without me.
#Unders
Current Price $26
Rated Price $45.50