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Willie Mullins is bidding to add another lucrative global showpiece to his collection while Joseph O’Brien has a strong chance to make it Melbourne Cup win number three as the Green Team head Down Under.

Mullins landed the Breeders’ Cup Turf with 25/1 shot Ethical Diamond, ridden by newly-crowned Champion Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, on Saturday evening and now saddles Absurde for a third time in a race worth £2,227,723 to the winner.

The seven-year-old has finished seventh and fifth in his previous two trips to Flemington and warmed up for his latest effort with a run in the Caufield Cup.
Assistant trainer David Casey said: "He pulled out of the run very well. 

"I think the race did him the world of good and his work during the week was very good. 

"I'm not sure that we want all the rain that is coming, but we'll deal with it and we're looking forward to the race." 

O’Brien, meanwhile, knows what it takes to win this race having done so with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment three years later.

This is the five-year-old’s first outing since winning the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh in September and he remains the market leader despite an unfavourable draw in stall 19.

Al Riffa will also have to defy top weight to land the honours but jockey Mark Zahra is excited by his mount.

"The lads were saying this is probably the best horse Joseph has ever brought out here – considering he's had a couple of winners, that's a pretty good rap," he said. 

"He's very quiet, relaxed, which you need for a Melbourne Cup horse, as they've got to run the two miles. I know it's different from race day, but his action looks beautiful. I dare say if Australian Bloodstock didn't own him I wouldn't be on the horse. 

“It's good to have a bit of success with past Melbourne Cup winners and I'm very happy and thankful to have the ride.”

Goodie Two Shoes has been drawn next to his stablemate and will set off from gate 20 with Wayne Lordan on board.

The six-year-old enjoyed wins at Gowran Park, Down Royal and Fairyhouse over the summer and was last seen finishing third in Group 2 company at Goodwood.

The race begins at 4am (Irish time) on Tuesday morning.