Begrüßungen » If you won the game you were champions

Our resident form expert Scott Heinrich has run the rule over the 2016 Melbourne Cup field. Read on for an in-depth look at each of the 24 runners!1. Big Orange57kg. Barrier: 7 6g; Duke Of Marmalade - Miss Brown To You T: Michael Bell. J: Jamie SpencerRan fifth in last years Melbourne Cup as a boy and this time around returns a man; these are the words of trainer Michael Bell. The intervening 12 months do look to have improved this giant galloper, who will have no issue shouldering top weight. His past two runs, both victories, have been excellent, trouncing a good yardstick in The Grey Gatsby (and Exospheric) at Newmarket before claiming the Goodwood Cup. Plenty in this fellows favour. Go well.2. Our Ivanhowe?57kg. Barrier 6 7h; Soldier Hollow - Indigo Girl T: Lee & Anthony Freedman. J: Dwayne DunnAnother member of the 2015 beaten brigade. Ran 10th last year but had no room at all in the straight and should have finished much closer. Has won at Group 1 level since, beating Hauraki in the Doomben Cup, so theres no doubting this ones quality. Just doubt he is going as well as this time 12 months ago; his sixth in the Caulfield Cup was a fair effort but a rung below his placed effort in the same race in 2015. Would be of interest if theres any rain about -- he has raced almost exclusively on good ground since arriving from Germany -- but inclined to risk all the same.3. Curren Mirotic56.5kg. Barrier 18 9g; Hearts Cry - Star Mile T: Osamu Hirata. J: Tommy BerryCreates plenty of interest as the lone Japanese entrant, and brings with him a smattering of top-level form from that part of the world. Went very close three starts back at enormous odds in the Group I Tenno Sho, Japans premier event over two miles, and that at least satisfies queries over his ability to run the trip given hes won at no further than 2000m. Has been ordinary in two starts since, however, and has two colossal hurdles to jump: no nine-year-old has ever won the Cup, and barrier No. 18 has never produced the winner. No.4. Bondi Beach56kg. Barrier 5 5h; Galileo - One Moment In Time T: Aidan OBrien. J: Ryan MooreHas been taken along slowly since his rearward effort behind Prince Of Penzance last year, running just four times since at Listed and Group 3 level. Almost certainly an improved galloper this year, given he was a three-year-old by northern hemisphere standards and had had just five starts when running last year. The stable noises about Bondi Beach are very good and he does appear to have been laid out for this race; Ryan Moore is an eye-catching booking, too. Can see him running very well but at $9.50 with UBET he is well found in the market for a horse whos yet to actually achieve much. Wary, but I have others higher in the pecking order.5. Exospheric56kg. Barrier: 13 5h; Beat Hollow - Bright And Clear T: Lee & Anthony Freedman. J: Damien OliverA high-quality, progressive European now trained in Australia. Trounced Big Orange five starts back at level weights before starting $2.50 in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race that featured Highland Reel. Failed there, however, as he did subsequently when Big Orange exacted revenge at Newmarket. But, more pertinently from a Melbourne Cup point of view, Exospheric showed he was in form when running a pleasing third behind Jameka in the Caulfield Cup. Suppose there is a slight doubt about him at the trip, and he meets Jameka just 1.5kg better for a four-length defeat, but hes in the mix.6. Hartnell56kg. Barrier:12 6g; Authorized - Debonnaire T: John OShea. J: James McDonaldThe ruling Melbourne Cup favourite and, outside Winx, probably the hottest galloper of the spring. Really hard to knock this one: scintillating in Sydney at the start of this prep, flogged Jameka in the Turnbull and then beat all bar the champ in the Cox Plate. Is drawn well in 12, has won over 3200m and is even the right age as four of the past six Cup winners were six-years-old. The likes of Fiorente, Green Moon, Efficient and Jeune have all come off a Cox Plate defeat to win the Melbourne Cup, but the question mark with Hartnell is how much the run, and indeed his campaign thus far, has taken out of him. And although he does have that win over two miles to his name, it comes with an asterisk as it was achieved as a three-year-old against other 3yos; his two starts at the journey as an older horse have been failures. Think he is a risk at the camped quote.7. Who Shot Thebarman56kg. Barrier: 12 8g; Yamanin Vital - Ears Carol T: Chris Waller. J: Hugh BowmanIt just wouldnt be the Melbourne Cup without Who Shot Thebarman, whos having his third crack at the race after running third in 2014 and 11th last year, and looking to become the first eight-year-old since 1938 to win. His form this season is patchy, though his most recent effort was his best -- a close-up second to stablemate Grand Marshal in the Moonee Valley Cup. Its possible both he and the winner were flattered that day, however, and he looks a marginal hope at best.8. Wicklow Brave56kg. Barrier: 24 8g; Beat Hollow - Moraine T: Willie Mullins. J: Frankie DettoriTop Irish trainer Willie Mullins returns to Flemington for another tilt, having gone close last year with Max Dynamite. Boasts formlines that tie him in with the likes of Big Orange and Exospheric, and will have no problem at all with the two miles. In form, having won a four-runner edition of the Group 1 Irish St Leger last time, but hes likely to get back from his draw in the car park and will need the pace on to get involved.9. Almoonqith54.5kg. Barrier: 19 7h; Dynaformer - Bohemian Lady T: David & B Hayes & Tom Dabernig. J: Michael WalkerProbably the run of the Caulfield Cup outside the winner, steaming home to finish fourth from well off the pace. Wants 3200m now, and will likely get the good going he needs to show his best. Another who will drop out from a wide draw, and another who will want a truly run race. If he gets it, Almoonqith can defy his big odds and figure somewhere in the finish.10. Gallante54.5kg. Barrier: 2 6g; Montjeu - Crazy Volume T: Robert Hickmott. J: Blake ShinnThis years Sydney Cup winner fell out of favour for this race after bombing as a warm favourite in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup last start. That effort, a poor one on paper, should be completely forgotten, however. Both his rider, and the jockey of Authoritarian, were quizzed post-race for their cut-throat tactics at the head of affairs, actions that exacerbated the run-on pattern of the day. His current quote is a gross overreaction to that failure, but hell want an easier time on the pace (not guaranteed this year); some rain will help, too. But, well drawn and proven at the trip, hes the best roughie in this years race.11. Grand Marshal54.5kg. Barrier: 9 7g; Dansili - Margarula T: Chris Waller. J: Ben MelhamEverything fell into place for this out-and-out stayer last time when the pattern of the day, and a suicidal pace up front, saw him swoop to victory on his favoured soft ground in the Moonee Valley Cup. That said, Grand Marshal got the job done and comes here in winning form -- turning around a series of poor runs this campaign, including a well-beaten ninth in The Metropolitan. Still, lacks the class of some of these and will need the heavens to open to rate a chance.12. Jameka.54.5kg. Barrier: 3 4m; Myboycharlie - Mine Game T: Ciaron Maher. J: Nicholas HallWas quite breathtaking in the Caulfield Cup, winning with a deal of authority after spending much of the race pulling for rein with her jockey. Most gallopers would have cried enough when then asked to quicken, but Jameka isnt most gallopers. She circled the field hard on the bridle, put the race to bed at the top of the straight yet still had enough in reserve to savage the line. You couldnt have asked for a more impressive Melbourne Cup trial. Ciaron Maher isnt worried about the two miles; worryingly for her rivals, it might even bring about further improvement. The one to beat.13. Heartbreak City54kg. Barrier: 23 7g; Lando - Moscow Nights T: Tony Martin. J: Joao MoreiraA dual purpose racer in his native Ireland, Heartbreak City won over hurdles at Galway two runs back before making a one-act affair of Yorks Ebor Handicap -- a race that has proven a fairly reliable guide over the years. Still hard to line up on form, though will have no issues with regards to trip and ground, and loses nothing with Joao Moreira in the saddle (though gate No. 23 is no help). Likely to find a couple too good but reluctant to discount entirely.14. Sir John Hawkwood54kg. Barrier: 14 8g; Sir Percy - Athene T: John Thompson. J: Blake SpriggsHas been in good form this campaign, running into McCreery (second in the Cantala Stakes on Saturday) at Rosehill before recording his biggest triumph in The Metropolitan. That race hasnt been the best Cup pointer over the years, however, and SJH was put firmly in his place, if not altogether disgraced, when 10th in the Caulfield Cup. Cant see him turning the tables on those in front of him there, or running 3200m at Flemington for that matter. Passing.15. Excess Knowledge 53.5kg. Barrier: 21 7h; Monsun - Quenched T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. J: Vlad DuricWorthy of his place in the field courtesy of close-up efforts in The Bart Cummings and Moonee Valley Cup, but couldnt win either race and there was little evidence to suggest sufficient improvement is in the offing to make an impact here. Gate No. 21 is no help and almost certainly not good enough, anyway.16. Beautiful Romance52.5kg. Barrier: 1 5m; New Approach - Mazuna T: Saeed Bin Suroor. J: Damian LaneWell performed, lightly raced and progressive -- typical of the runner the UK arm of Godolphin now bring here for the Melbourne Cup. Finished in front of Wicklow Brave and Exospheric in the Hardwicke Stakes, and is Group 1-placed in mares company back home. Unproven at the trip and does look to have something to find on form, but might get a soft run from barrier No. 1. Could run well but place looks best.17. Almandin52kg. Barrier: 17 7g; Monsun - Anatola T: Robert Hickmott. J: Kerrin McEvoyTook time to acclimatise after being transferred from the UK, but has really found his form this campaign. A dominant winner over stablemate Assign at Caulfield before staking his claim for the Melbourne Cup with an easy win in The Bart Cummings. Almandin had subsequent Caulfield Cup fourth Almoonqith well back that day, adding some merit to the form. Lightly raced, with the right stable, good jockey, in form, by the same sire as recent Cup winners Protectionist and Fiorente. Whats not to like? Huge chance.18. Assign52kg. Barrier: 22 6g; Montjeu - Belesta T: Robert Hickmott. J: Katelyn MallyonA really likeable stayer who tuned up for this with a dogged win in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes three weeks ago. That followed a respectable second (receiving 1kg in weight) to stablemate Almandin in a Listed race at Caulfield. Not sure where this one gets to from gate No. 22, so chances are Assign will need luck. But hes honest and could run a cheeky race at massive odds.19. Grey Lion52kg. Barrier: 16 5h; Galileo - Grey Lilas T: Matt Cumani. J: Glen BossAn import who has had a run in Australia, so at least we can line him up. Just failed to haul in Qewy in the Geelong Cup, a race that looked suspect at the time but has since been boosted with third-placed Oceanographer going on to win the Lexus Stakes. Will no doubt have benefitted from the hit out, but his form prior to that run -- including a last in the Prix Kergolay -- was a rung or two below that which is possessed by others in this race. Happy to just let this one run.20. Oceanographer 52kg. Barrier: 11 5g; Sea The Stars - Que Puntual T: Charlie Appleby. J: Chad SchofieldRan an eye-catching third in the Geelong Cup before storming into calculations for the Melbourne Cup with an impressive win in the Lexus Stakes. That race continues to be a decent guide and, crucially, Oceanographer displayed the turn of foot often needed to win the big one. That said, the market does look to have overreacted a little; visually impressive as Oceanographer was, Tom Melbourne and Tally would have little hope in a Melbourne Cup, and this bloke was a well-beaten (if luckless) seventh to Heartbreak City three starts back. A chance, obviously, but doesnt look much value.21. Secret Number52kg. Barrier: 10 7g; Ravens Pass - Mysterial T: Saeed Bin Suroor. J: Stephen BasterSimilar in profile to stablemate Beautiful Romance, this European is sparingly raced and, for a seven-year-old, still untapped. Has had just one start since running second to Dandino at Flemington on Stakes Day last year, winning a Listed race at Ayr in September before being shipped to Australia. So clearly this race has been a year in the planning for connections, who have gone so close in the past and should know by now what is required. Stephen Baster will have options galore from barrier No. 10, and I dont want to dismiss this one out of hand. Another who could surprise at odds.22. Pentahlon51.5kg. Barrier: 4 5g; Pentire - Pinders Prize T: John Wheeler. J: Mark Du PlessisHas shown a decent enough level of ability since arriving from New Zealand, but in three Australian starts has been well beaten each time by horses he will again compete against in the Melbourne Cup. Making up the numbers.23. Qewy51.5kg. Barrier: 15 7g; Street Cry - Princess Nada T: Charlie Appleby. J: Craig WilliamsA versatile, dual-purpose type in England - he has won at 1600m and been placed at 4000m, as well as won over hurdles -- Qewy put himself in the Melbourne Cup picture by winning the Geelong Cup. He did benefit from a very enterprising ride there, however, and is unlikely to get it easy in front at Flemington. Can certainly make a case for him, but not sure to confirm superiority over Oceanographer and doesnt quite fit the profile of a Melbourne Cup winner. Leaving out.24. Rose Of Virginia51kg. Barrier: 8 7m; Thorn Park - Centapin T: Lee & Shannon Hope. J: Ben ThompsonHas an Auckland Cup placing over 3200m to her name, so thats something. But has done nothing in four local runs and was beaten out of sight by Oceanographer on Saturday. Absolutely not.Prediction: 12-17-1-21 Carl Landry Jersey . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. Russell Westbrook Jersey . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. https://www.cheaprocketsonline.com/887z-trevor-ariza-jersey-rockets.html .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Gary Clark Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Joe Meriweather Jersey .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does.Christian Eriksen is desperate to have the last laugh in his friendly feud with Kasper Schmeichel as Tottenhams title rivalry with Leicester gets serious. Spurs trail Claudio Ranieris side by eight points in the Premier League title race heading into their Sky Live Monday Night Football game at Stoke. Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld thinks a second place finish in the Premier League would still be a great achievement The gap would have been less had a stoppage-time penalty from substitute Leonardo Ulloa not rescued a point for the Foxes as they drew 2-2 with West Ham on Sunday. Eriksen has been trying to stoke the fire over the last few weeks by sending texts to his Denmark team-mate Schmeichel.Leicester still have games against Swansea, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea to come, and Eriksen admits he recently took the chance to tease Schmeichel again when he messaged him recently.I hope its me, Eriksen said when asked who will send the last laugh message.I just texted him the other day. I said good luck winning...or not and he said the same back.So of course we are still in contact and were in the national team together and there are a lot of jokes, there is a good relationship between us.We are colleagues and friends but its not like were texting each other every week either. Its probably funnier to text each other now because of where we are in the league but its just normal banter.Eriksen also questioned Schmeichels assertion that Leicester are just enjoying being title contenders.I think they are, of course they are, Eriksen added when asked if Leicester are thinking about being crowned champions.When you are that close and you are coming from the position that they are in, of course they will be looking at the title. That is normal.Talking to the press you say things a little differently.Tottenham still have work to do if they are to come from behind and overhaul Leicester to secure top spot, although Eriksen is one of three players in the team, along with Toby Alderweiireld and Jan Vertonghen, who have experience of doing just that.dddddddddddd. Poch: No time to reflect Mauricio Pochettino admits he has not had time to take stock of Spurs season The trio helped Ajax overcome a 12-point deficit on FC Twente in 2011, pipping their rivals to the post on the final day of the season.I think we were second until the last day of the season when we played Twente, who were first and one point ahead, added Eriksen.If you won the game you were champions. For us, the whole season we were trailing and I think at some points we were 12 points behind. But we came closer and closer, and then we got it.I was really young back then but for me it was a really good experience and you could see what it meant for the club. Its a little bit the same here.Eriksen may find the gap too great to close this time around but is confident Tottenhams title challenge is not a one-off. Dominic Fifield says the decision to switch Kevin Friend from refereeing the Tottenham game sets a dangerous precedent The 24-year-old is one of a handful of players, including Vertonghen, to have held early talks over a new contract this summer and if Spurs can keep their talented squad together, the future looks bright.We have the team to play for the title and, if all the players stay, we can do better next season, said Eriksen.We have given a good picture to the world that we are a really strong team and not someone that you just push over.Watch Stoke v Tottenham on Monday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm. Also See: Sky Live: Stoke v Tottenham Dropping Friend is dangerous Hughes: Spurs must attack Tottenham fixtures ' ' '