Trainer Michael Bell is confident that Big Orange will prove tough to beat on Tuesday after drawing into the 2016 Melbourne Cup field in barrier 7.

Big Orange was one of the standout performers of the 2015 edition of the race that stops a nation, and boxed on well for fifth behind Prince Of Penzance following a gritty two miles on pace.

Conceding that the horse was still extremely young when he lined up for Race 7 at Flemington last year, Bell said at the Melbourne Cup barrier draw that the Big Orange has flourished into a strong adult since his last Australian appearance and he is confident that horse will be right in the finish of the race form his ideal barrier.

“He ran a great race last year and was only really a boy last year,” Bell said.

“He’s developed into a man now, his form’s improved and we’ve got a significantly better draw, so fingers crossed it doesn’t rain.

“He’s seventeen hands and weighs 550kgs, so he’s a big horse and the fact he’s got top weight is probably not so relevant given his physique.

“We’re just praying for the track to ride like it did today and he’ll run a big race.

“We always wanted to come but we were just waiting to see what weight we were allotted and when we were given only half a kilo more than last year, we committed to it.

“He’s in good order. Last year he lost 30kgs and this year he only like 13kg on the flight over. So he really has developed physically and mentally, and he’s ready to run a big race.”

Winner of the Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) leading into 2015 Melbourne Cup appearance, Big Orange returned to racing this year for a close second behind Vazirabad in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) on March 26^th.

Progressing to third in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (2414m) before returning to the paddock for a brief freshen-up, the Duke Of Marmalade gelding has won each of the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes (2414m) and the Goodwood Cup at his two most recent starts.

Bell is thrilled to be saddle Big Orange in his second-consecutive Melbourne Cup and is enjoying the Flemington Carnival.

“It’s great fun and is a fantastic race to be involved in. you need to have a month in rehab afterwards,” he said.

Big Orange will be partnered by prominent British hoop Jamie Spencer on Tuesday and is currently available at 2016 Melbourne Cup odds of $16, or $20 with the Odds Boost function at Ladbrokes.com.au!