Does Withhold deserve to be Melbourne Cup favorite?

The latest Melbourne Cup betting odds have been released and bookmakers have Withhold as favorite with all major firms, but there's a difference of opinion amongst the trading teams. That has alerted the attention of value hunters.

Some firms have the jolly as short as 8/1 to write his name into the history books and claim glory at Flemington Racecourse over 3200 meters. A look through Oddschecker shows others are willing to be a little more daring, attaching a 15/1 price tag to the market leader. The latter goes to prove just how competitive this year's renewal will be.

Run on Tuesday 6th November, the contenders will be looking to wrestle the crown worn by Rekindling last year. The Joseph O'Brien-trained three-year-old colt saw off runner-up Johannes Vermeer under the ride of Corey Brown.

Does Withhold deserve his place at the head of the Melbourne Cup ante-post market? It's certainly difficult to make a strong case against the five-year-old gelding who arrives on a hot-streak of form. The eye-catching bay scored late last year when taking the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket, beating London Prize by just shy of four lengths when going to post a 5/1 joint-favorite.

The team followed up that effort with another visit to the winner's enclosure, leading home a talented field in June's Northumberland Plate before an appreciative Newcastle audience. Prince of Arran was second on that occasion, Sir Chauvelin making up the major places.

Withhold – owned by Anthony Bloom – has now won four of his first 11 outings and banked a place on another five occasions, four times as runner-up. Such an impressive CV would suggest backing him each-way at one of the bigger prices would give followers a real shot at bagging a profit.

Others in the early betting worth a mention are Magic Circle 16/1, Cross Counter 16/1, Torcedor 20/1, Kings Will Dream 20/1 and Hamada 22/1.

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