Luck of the Irish weighs in on international contenders

IRISH journalist David Jennings is covering the Melbourne Cup for Racing Post.

He rates the 11 international runners for the Cup tomorrow.

4: TIBERIAN

Tiberian is striving to emulate France’s Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011).

“His form backs up well,’’ Jennings said.

“Given the horses he has been beating, you would have to think he’s going to run well.”

5: MARMELO

English stayer Marmelo ran on well for sixth to Boom Time in the Caulfield Cup.

“We knew before the race the trip would be short of Marmelo’s best,” Jennings said.

6: RED CARDINAL

Germany’s Andreas Wohler teamed up with Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell of Australian Bloodstock to win with Protectionist in 2014.

“His trainer has won this race before and knows what horse is required,” he said.

7: JOHANNES VERMEER

Irish genius Aidan O’Brien has been trying for a decade but a Cup remains elusive.

But Jennings is wary of Johannes Vermeer’s ability to stay a strong 3200m. “I’m seriously worried about the horse getting the trip,” he said.

9: MAX DYNAMITE

Max Dynamite returns after being unlucky when a fast finishing second to $101 bolter Prince Of Penzance in 2015.

“He ran in the Ascot Gold Cup last year but finished down the track and he has been out for a long time since,’’ Jennings said.

12: WICKLOW BRAVE

Wicklow Brave is a tough, resolute stayer on the flat and is back for his second Cup bid.

“This is a remarkable horse,’’ Jennings said. “He completely lost his way in 2014 and 2015 but in the last two years he has been amazing.”

14: US ARMY RANGER

A second placing in an English Derby should be enough to be considered a hot tip.

“He was trained by Aidan O’Brien and ran second in the Derby last year so it’s proper Group 1 form,” Jennings said.

18: NAKEETA

The first Scottish-trained horse to run in a Cup, Nakeeta has made a transition to a genuine chance.

“Nakeeta is a nice horse and has a similar profile to Heartbreak City who ran well in the Cup last year,’’ Jennings said.

20: WALL OF FIRE

Wall Of Fire hasn’t won a race for over 12 months, and is yet to win at Group or Listed level, but there is a lot of confidence in the English horse.

“This horse has a cracking chance,’’ Jennings said.

21: THOMAS HOBSON

Thomas Hobson is a big street-corner tip.

“He is my fancy to win the race,’ Jennings said. “I think this horse has had Melbourne Cup written all over him for quite a while.”

22: REKINDLING

Rekindling is a three-yearold by northern hemisphere time and has only had nine career starts, winning three.

“I wonder if he has had too many races. Maybe next year for him,” Jennings said.