Punters at the ready: Top picks for Melbourne Cup winner

It's the most wide-open Melbourne Cup in years.

I've been through the field many times and can only rule out four runners that I think have no hope of winning.

And with a record number of international horses running, tying together all the form-lines is enough to make your head swirl.

As you'd expect, last year's winner Almandin, and Humidor, the horse that gave Winx a fright in the Cox Plate, are amongst the favourites at around the $9 mark.

Marmelo leads a brigade of internationals after his slashing run in the Caulfield Cup. And of the visitors who have disclosed their form since arriving in Melbourne, Johannes Vermeer and Wall Of Fire rank highest.

With so many chances, it's hard to be confident.

But for what it's worth, I like Max Dynamite, which ran second in the Cup two years ago and gets in one kilogram lighter this time.

He's trained by the great Willie Mullins and has been storming around his training track at Werribee.

Here's my Top 4:

1. Max Dynamite

2. Amelie's Star

3. Tiberian

4. Wall Of Fire

Good luck! If that First Four gets up, I'll be taking the rest of the week off.

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