Melbourne Cup ante-post favourite not among entries - but Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead have contenders

Crystal Black, the ante-post favourite for the Melbourne Cup with some firms, did not feature among the initial entries for the big race at Flemington on November 5.

The Ger Keane-trained six-year-old was as short as 8-1 favourite following victories on his last five starts, including in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.

• 'The dream is over for this year' - infection rules ante-post favourite Crystal Black out of Melbourne Cup 

Tower Of London, a winner of the Curragh Cup on his last start, and Irish St Leger hope Giavellotto were other absentees from the 123 nominations. They were 14-1.

Belloccio, Desert Hero, Klondike and West Wind Blows were other British- and Irish-trained horses who featured in the ante-post market but were not entered in the A$8.56 million (£4.4m/€5.22m) race. There is a late entry stage next Tuesday, but if not added by that deadline, horses are unable to run in the race.

Vauban, who was favourite last year but failed to figure, is one of three entries for Willie Mullins after his last-time-out victory in the Lonsdale Cup at York. Absurde, a Listed winner at Chester on Saturday, and eyecatching Ebor fifth Hipop De Loire are also in the mix.

Magical Zoe: Ebor winner has been entered in the Melbourne CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ebor winner Magical Zoe could be a first runner in the race for Henry de Bromhead, who did not enter Lillie Langtry scorer Term Of Endearment.

Aidan O'Brien has six entries, including unbeaten St Leger hope Jan Brueghel, Great Voltigeur runner-up Illinois and wide-margin Irish St Leger Trial winner Grosvenor Square.

Dermot Weld, who landed Australia's most famous race with Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002, has entered the progressive Harbour Wind, while Kinesiology is in contention for Jessica Harrington. Birdman, who finished third in the Queen's Vase for Harrington, has now joined Chris Waller.

Andrew Balding is responsible for two of the five British-trained entries with Night Sparkle and Relentless Voyager, while Arrest (John and Thady Gosden), Northumberland Plate winner Onesmoothoperator (Brian Ellison) and Sea King, a recent recruit for Harry Eustace from Sir Mark Prescott, are other candidates.

Last year's winner Without A Fight, Sydney Cup scorer Circle Of Fire and Hardwicke third Middle Earth, the last pair trained by Ciaron Maher, are among the home challenge.

Maher, who is Victoria's leading trainer and won the race with Gold Trip when in partnership with David Eustace two years ago, nominated 16 horses and said: "When the nominations come out it becomes a little bit more real and we have a nice team of local horses and some international arrivals, including Middle Earth.

"Circle Of Fire could run in the Makybe Diva and we'll look to protect his rating and give him a few prep runs. We're always on the lookout for the next Gold Trip and they're hard to find."

The overall number of entries is down by nine from last year, although there are five more overseas entries – totalling 20 when including other entries from France and Japan.

Lexus Melbourne Cup (Flemington, November 5)

Coral: 8 Vauban, 10 Magical Zoe, 12 Circle Of Fire, Grosvenor Square, Saint George, 16 Absurde, Delius, Illinois, Jan Brueghel, Middle Earth, Without A Fight, 20 bar

Read more . . .

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