Melbourne, November 4, 2024 – Racing experts are rallying behind Irish-trained Vauban as the top pick for the 2024 Melbourne Cup, aiming to rebound after a lackluster performance in 2023. Vauban, a seven-year-old horse trained by Ireland’s Willie Mullins, enters as the bookmakers’ favorite at $6.50 odds, despite the mixed results historically seen by favorites in the race.

Vauban’s trainer, Mullins, narrowly missed Melbourne Cup victory in 2015, finishing in second place. Analysts believe Vauban is in stronger form this year, ready to shake off last year’s underwhelming performance, which extended a winless streak for Cup favorites dating back to Fiorente in 2013. Mullins’ hopes for his first Melbourne Cup win remain high, with Vauban expected to perform better after gaining valuable experience in last year’s race.

Expert picks show a close field beyond Vauban, with fellow runners Onesmoothoperator, Absurde, and Buckaroo also garnering substantial support. Prominent names in the racing community have voiced their top choices, with the following favorites emerging:

•	Jim Cassidy favors Sea King, followed by Interpretation and Onesmoothoperator.
•	Trevor Marshallsea lists Onesmoothoperator as his top choice, with Sea King and Absurde close behind.
•	Daniel Nuttal backs Vauban for the win, naming Kovalica and Saint George in his top four.

Supporters of Onesmoothoperator highlight its consistency, while Buckaroo, Sea King, and Zardozi have drawn attention for their recent performances. As excitement builds, racing fans and bettors await Tuesday’s race to see if Vauban or another favorite will finally break the Cup’s streak of upsets.

For more insights, racing fans can explore guides and predictions from seasoned analysts, including breakdowns of each runner’s form and odds leading up to the big event.