Confirmed runners, riders and draw for the 2022 Melbourne Cup

The British-trained Melbourne Cup favourite Deauville Legend has been allotted stall nine for Tuesday's contest, a draw which trainer James Ferguson described as "spot on".

The three-year-old's odds slimmed to 11-4 (from 4-1) with bet365 for Australia's biggest race at Flemington following Saturday's barrier draw. He has been progressive throughout his domestic campaign, recording victories in the Bahrain Trophy and Great Voltigeur Stakes before being sent down under.

The young Newmarket handler, who only started training three years ago, is happy to be starting from a position in the middle, while he will also have the help of three-time winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle

Ferguson told Racing.com: "I'm pleased. I didn't really want a very low draw, didn't want a very wide draw.

"Nine is absolutely spot on for us. Pace being on the outside, they're going to go some clip to get there. So ideally we get into a good position and don't have to work too hard to get there.

"We've still got to get the horse there, the rest is up to Kerrin."

Without A Fight: the other British-trained runner in the line-upCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Without A Fight is the only other international representative in the line-up but he was not as fortunate with the draw.

He will come from stall 18, one of the widest berths, leaving newly crowned champion jockey William Buick with a tough task to secure his first win in the race. Without A Fight drifted to 10-1 (from 8) following the draw.

Ed Crisford said: "I’m not delighted about the barrier, it is what it is, we’re going to have to jump and William is going to have to use his imagination a little bit.

“I think if horses drawn on the inside go hard, and we can’t get in [for cover] we could be in trouble. But if they’re slow down on the inside and we can find a position, then we’ll be fine. We’ll know after 50 metres how things are looking.”

Montefilia, Gold Trip and Hoo Ya Mal are considered the main hopes for Australia and they secured decent draws in stalls 11, 14 and 15 respectively.

Melbourne Cup confirmed runners and riders

1 Gold Trip Mark Zahra (stall 14)
2 Duais Hugh Bowman (10)
3 Knights Order Tim Clark (24)
4 Montefilia Jason Collett (11)
5 Numerian Tommy Berry (7)
6 Without A Fight William Buick (18)
7 Camorra Ben Melham (17)
8 Deauville Legend Kerrin McEvoy (9)
9 Stockman Sam Clipperton (2)
10 Vow And Declare Blake Shinn (4)
11 Young Werther Damian Lane (21)
12 Hoo Ya Mal Craig Williams (15)
13 Serpentine John Allen (23)
14 Daqiansweet Junior Daniel Moor (13)
15 Grand Promenade Harry Coffey (1)
16 Arapaho Rachel King (19)
17 Emissary Patrick Moloney (3)
18 Lunar Flare Michael Dee (12)
19 Smokin' Romans Jamie Kah (16)
20 Tralee Rose Dean Yendall (22)
21 Point Nepean Wayne Lordan (20)
22 High Emocean Teo Nugent (8)
23 Interpretation Craig Newitt (6)
24 Realm Of Flowers Damien Thornton (5)

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