Find out what weight ante-post favourite Vauban has been given for this year's Melbourne Cup

Ante-post favourite Vauban will carry just 1lb (0.5kg) more than last year when he bids for redemption in the Lexus Melbourne Cup (4.00) on November 5 after the weights were revealed for Australia's most historic race on Tuesday.

The Willie Mullins-trained star heads the market for the Flemington showpiece following victory in the Lonsdale Cup at the Ebor meeting last month before he finished a fine second to Kyprios in the Irish St Leger at the weekend.

Having carried 8st 9lb (55kg) when a disappointing 13th as the 9-2 favourite last year, Vauban has been allocated 8st 10lb (55.5kg) this time as he bids to give Mullins his first Melbourne Cup success.

"It was not hard to be taken by the effort of Vauban in the Irish St Leger behind an elite horse in Kyprios," Racing Victoria's head of handicapping David Hegen said.

"While connections may have been disappointed with his defeat in last year's Melbourne Cup, it's never wise to underestimate Willie Mullins and so a small rise in the weights is a proportionate increase given his recent performances."

Vauban is guaranteed a run in the race – a maximum field of 24 can take part and he is ninth on the ballot list – as is last year's winner Without A Fight, who will carry top weight of 9st 3lb (58.5kg) should he take part.

Aidan O'Brien raised the possibility that St Leger first and second Jan Brueghel and Illinois could take their chances and they have been given 8st 7lb (54kg) and 8st 5lb (53kg) respectively. They would also be certain starters as they sit seventh and eighth on the list.

Jan Brueghel (left) and Illinois: possible contenders for the Melbourne CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Their stablemates Point Lonsdale and Grosvenor Square have both been allocated 8st 10lb (55.5kg) and 8st 3lb (52kg), while The Euphrates is 28th on the list with 7st 1lb (50.5kg).

Vauban's stablemate Absurde, who is 36th on the list, has been allocated 8st 4lb (52.5kg), while Ebor heroine Magical Zoe would also carry that weight should she take her chance. She is exempt from the ballot as her York success was a 'win and you're in' contest.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Arrest, who needs three horses to come out to be guaranteed a starting berth, has been allocated 8st 6lb (53.5kg), while Harbour Wind would carry 8st 5lb (53kg) if he gets in.

He could bid to give Dermot Weld a third Melbourne Cup success and Hegen is nervous that he has underestimated the four-year-old's ability. Harbour Wind was last seen finishing second in the Prix Gladiateur at Longchamp this month.

He said: "The preparation that Harbour Wind has had with only two runs this year, I'm a little bit concerned he may have a little bit up his sleeve. It's a very Irish-style preparation.

"He's weighted right up to his absolute best, if not half a kilogram beyond. I suspect he's got a lot more to offer and he's been rated right up to his maximum with no allowance for his form in those Listed and Group 3 races."

Vauban is the 8-1 market leader with Coral for the Melbourne Cup following the release of the weights, with Magical Zoe next best at 10-1. Circle Of Fire, Saint George and Jan Brueghel are all 12-1 chances.

The firm's David Stevens said: "Although Vauban disappointed when sent off favourite for last year's Melbourne Cup, connections are sure to have learned from that experience, and off just a 1lb higher mark than 12 months ago and following an excellent second to Kyprios last weekend, he's once again at the head of the betting for the race that stops a nation."

4.00 Flemington, Tuesday November 5, Lexus Melbourne Cup (Grade 1 handicap)

Paddy Power: 8 Vauban, 10 Circle Of Fire, 14 Jan Brueghel, Magical Zoe, Saint George, The Map, 16 Absurde, Middle Earth, 20 Warmonger, Without A Fight, Birdman, 25 bar

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