Melbourne Cup hopes Ispolini and Marmelo scanned after signs of soreness

Doubt has been cast over the participation of two of Britain’s leading Melbourne Cup hopes after Ispolini and Marmelo were scanned after showing signs of soreness at Werribee’s international horse centre.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Ispolini was referred to the equine clinic at the University of Melbourne over the weekend after being inspected by Racing Victoria vets, with connections opting to send the German St Leger winner for further testing in Ballarat on Monday.

Marmelo similarly underwent a standing CT scan at the University of Melbourne with trainer Hughie Morrison travelling to Australia on Monday and set to discuss the results with vets the following day.

There was also a slight scare for last year’s winner Cross Counter, who underwent a CT scan but was cleared by vets to continue his preparation.

Marmelo and Ispolini are general 14-1 chances to win the Flemington feature on Tuesday week, as is Cross Counter, who bids to become the fifth horse to win back-to-back renewals of the race.

Marmelo: finished second in the Melbourne Cup last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Southern France, formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, has undergone precautionary veterinary testing but has been allowed to continue his training for the A$8m (£4.3m/€4.8m) showpiece following advice from the vet at the stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

The top 35 ranked acceptors for the race that stops the nation will be subject to pre-race veterinary examinations on Thursday and Friday.

They will not include Avilius, Homesman and Yucatan, who on Monday were taken out at the third acceptances stage, while Pat Cosgrave has been booked to ride the Joseph O'Brien-trained Twilight Payment and James McDonald will partner stablemate Latrobe.

Hunting Horn has escaped a penalty for the Melbourne Cup following his Group 2 win at Moonee Valley, while stablemate Never No More will be Ballydoyle's sole runner in Saturday’s inaugural A$7.5m (£3.99m/€4.62m) Golden Eagle at Rosehill after Darley July Cup hero Ten Sovereigns was taken out the race on the back of a below-par effort in The TAB Everest.

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