Horses to watch in the 2018 Melbourne Cup

Europe has come loaded for bear in Monday night's Melbourne Cup (G1) at Flemington, which can be watched and wagered on at TwinSpires.com.

#1 Best Solution, the 127-pound highweight, has won four straight in Britain, Germany, and Australia. #3 Magic Circle looked mighty impressive taking two starts last May at Chester and Sandown and enters fresh as a daisy. #11 Yucatan got acclimated very well when taking the Herbert Power (G2) at Caulfield first up Down Under. The three-year-old #23 Cross Counter looks mighty strong with only 112 pounds on his back, and we can't dismiss 2017 Epsom Derby (G1) runner-up #2 The Cliffsofmoher.

However, I'll try and beat all of them. As has been my custom in recent years, I'll spread my Win money around on several candidates in the 24-horse lineup. I did well in 2016 with Almandin, but fell a little short last season tabbing third- and fourth-placers Max Dynamite and Big Duke.

#9 MARMELO (16-1) started off joint favorite in the Cup last year off a closing sixth in the Caulfield Cup (G1), but failed to fire in the big one when finishing ninth. Good form again this year, including a narrow loss to Vazirabad in France to start the year, and this time he enters this two-mile fixture with no prep.

#22 YOUNGSTAR (13-1), the only mare in the field, reportedly threw a shoe but closed fast for seventh in the Caulfield Cup. Form had been progressive up until then, and last season's Queensland Oaks (G1) heroine should appreciate the step up in trip and with a feather 113 pounds. She's trained by Chris Waller, of Winx fame.

Post time for the Melbourne Cup is 11 p.m. (EST). You can find FREE Brisnet Past Performances for the entire Flemington card here.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)