PRINCE WORTH THE WEIGHT

NEWMARKET trainer Charlie Fellowes is delighted his Melbourne Cup hope Prince Of Arran will be carrying the same weight that he carried when third in the race last year.

The weights for the 159th running of the world’s richest handicap, taking place at Flemington Park on November 5, were announced yesterday.

“I’m very, very happy to have the same weight as last year,” said Fellowes. “Obviously, we have got to get into the race but the horses have got in for the last three years.

“It is going to be more competitive than ever before. The plan is to go out there early and have a couple of runs beforehand.”

Last year, Prince Of Arran (right) booked his ticket for ‘the race that stops a nation’ by winning the Lexus at Flemington just three days before the big one.

“It’s under consideration to take in the Lexus again,” said Fellowes.

Prince Of Arran is 25-1 with Paddy Power, behind market leaders Cross Counter and Marmelo, the winner and second respectively in last year’s race. Cross Counter, trained by Charlie Appleby, has a herculean task as he has a stone more on his back.

But the handicapper has presented Marmelo, from the Hughie Morrison yard, with a big shout and he will also carry the same weight as he had last year.

Aidan O’Brien’s Kew Gardens, winner of last year’s St Leger, has been given top weight of 9st 1lb.

Much to the annoyance of the Aussies, the Cup has been won by the Europeans in the last two years.

Paddy Power believe Ireland or the UK can repeat that feat and offer 4-5 on another Euro victory.