The 2018 Melbourne Cup barrier draw is just moments away, making now the perfect time to jump on that one runner you’ve fancied ahead of Tuesday’s $7 million ‘race that stops the nation’.

Before the barriers are set, here’s a brief look at some of favourites with some helpful pointers to keep in mind.

Yucatan (Aidan O’Brien) – $4.50

• Won first-up in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago, a great prep race for the Melbourne Cup.
• Aiden O’Brien and James McDonald are yet to win a Melbourne Cup

Cross Counter (Charlie Appleby) – $8.50

• Has won four of seven career starts
• First-up in Australia after finishing runner-up at York in August
• Godolphin has never won a Melbourne Cup
• Kerrin McEvoy rode Almandin to a win in the Melbourne Cup in 2016

Magic Circle (Ian Williams) – $9.00

• Won the Chester Cup (3264m) last-start by six-lengths
• Has won five starts over 3,000m or more

Muntahaa (Josh Gosden) – $10.00

• Won the Ebor Handicap (2816m) last start

Avilius (Godolphin) – $12.00

• Was a little disappointing in the Cox Plate (2040m) last start finishing fourth behind Humidor
• Won four straight prior
• Godolphin has never won a Melbourne Cup

A Prince Of Arran (Charlie Fellowes) – $14.00

• Hoping to become the first Lexus Stakes (2500m) winner to go on and win a Melbourne Cup since Shocking in 2009
• Michael Walker on board with 55kg

The Cliffsofmoher (Aidan O’Brien) – $14.00

• Stablemate of Yucatan
• Showed plenty of promise hitting the line in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last month to run fourth
• Followed that up running third in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) behind Homesman and Best Solution

Best Solution (Godolphin) – $14.00

• Caulfield Cup winner
• Carrying the most weight in the race (57.5kg)
• Having never won one before, trainer Saeed Bin Surror is hungry for a win in the Melbourne Cup

Marmelo (Hughie Morrison) – $17.00

• Beaten favourite in last year’s Cup, ran a disappointing ninth
• Hasn’t had a lead up run in Australia
• Hugh Bowman on board with 55kg

Rostropovich (Aidan O’Brien) – $21.00

• Run in the Cox Plate (2040m) was strong over 2000m, a distance he was previously untested at
• Will step up to the 3200m for the first time on Tuesday

Runaway (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)- $41.00

• Will back up following a gutsy win in the Geelong Cup (2400m) last week
• Has won once at Flemington in two career starts