Earlier in the picture the Michael Bell-trained UK raider Big Orange was shaping up as one of the most overs in Melbourne Cup betting and even with a notable money train rolling in for him he still looks a juicy 2016 Melbourne Cup tip.

When the official field for Tuesday’s $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) was first released on Saturday, Big Orange was offered at Melbourne Cup odds of $18 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

The British-trained Duke Of Marmalade gelding has been well-supported early into $14 for the win.

He race in the ‘race that stops a nation’ 12 months ago and finished only 2.4 lengths off the upset Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance for fifth.

Just outside the Melbourne Cup First Four, the galloper returns for a second shot at taking out a ‘Loving Trophy’ for connections.

He has won twice since including the Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3219m) in late July under 61kg.

Big Orange is equal Melbourne Cup top weight this spring with Our Ivanhowe, but the 57kg is still very manageable for this dour stayer.

Bell is confident he is saddling-up the best of the British raiders in this year’s Cup field and is tipping Big Orange as over the odds for Tuesday’s iconic staying showdown.

“He has to buck a trend and no British horse has won [the Melbourne Cup] and he has top weight and there are factors against him, but we have an enormous confidence in the horse’s ability and I think if this was a handicap with the English horses he would probably be favourite,” Bell told The Daily Telegraph.

“I can’t factor in Hartnell, Jameka and Almandin but I would say if this race was run in England at these weights against Wicklow Brave and Bondi Beach, in my mind, [Big Orange] would be an even money favourite.”

Melbourne Cup history shows that a lead-up run in Australia before taking to the track is crucial for a horse’s winning chances, but can this genuine two miler buck the hoodoo and salute at the nice price in Melbourne Cup betting?

2016 Melbourne Cup Horse Form #1 Big Orange

Barrier: 7

Weight: 57kg (Equal Top Weight)

Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Trainer: Michael Bell

Owner/s: Mr W J Gredley, Mr T C O Gredley

Age: 6YO

Gender: Gelding

Breeding: by Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) from Miss Brown To You (IRE)

Career: 18-7-2-1

Win: 39%

Place: 56%

Last 6: 23x11x

Prize Money: $1,495,511

Track: 1-0-0-0

Distance: 6-2-1-0

Current 2016 Melbourne Cup Odds: $14

Why Big Orange Is the Horse to Back in the Melbourne Cup 2016

• Barrier seven gives him chances in running
• Had 61kg on his back to win over this distance last start so is actually well-weighted with 57kg in the Melbourne Cup; Bell is confident he’ll handle the weight
• Is the right age (6YO) looking at recent Melbourne Cup history with six of the past 10 winners taking it out as six-year-olds including Prince Of Penzance (2015) last year
• Won the Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3219m) over two miles last start in late July in fine fashion
• Has strong two mile form (6-2-1-0)
• Ran a slashing fifth beaten only 2.4 lengths in the race last year and has improved since
• Has the second highest Win Rate (39%) of the field following Bondi Beach (40%)
• Early Melbourne Cup market mover and plenty of top form experts have him on top of their 2016 Melbourne Cup Tips

Why Big Orange Won’t Win the 2016 Melbourne Cup

• Barrier seven has produced just one Melbourne Cup winner (since 1983)
• No Melbourne Cup winner has carried 57kg to victory in over 30 years and only one (since 1983) has carried more than 56.5kg to victory – Makybe Diva (58kg in 2005)
• Jamie Spencer is yet to ride a Melbourne Cup winner
• Michael Bell is yet to train a Melbourne Cup winner
• No British-trained horse has won the Melbourne Cup to date
• No Melbourne Cup winner since Vintage Crop (1993) won the race without a previous lead-up run in Australia
• Fiorente (2013) and Brew (2000) are the only Melbourne Cup winners to do so in their second attempt in the international era

Think Big Orange is worth an Each Way Melbourne Cup bet? Back him for the Win at Odds Boost with Ladbrokes.com.au and the Place to cover your bases now!