The 2017 Melbourne Cup tips of any racing expert are highly sort after as we continue to build to ‘the race that stops a nation’ at Flemington this afternoon.

Hugh Bowman – the regular rider of Winx – has the chance to claim another feature race win in the 2017 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Steve Hart

The team of horse racing experts at horseracing.com.au have put their heads together and our complete 2017 Melbourne Cup tips can be found below.

#5 MARMELO

Marmelo has had an ideal lead-up to the 2017 Melbourne Cup and there is no doubt that he is the horse to beat. He won the Prix Kergorlay in France – the race won by Americain and Protectionist before they came to Australia and won the Melbourne Cup – and he ran on against the pattern of the day in the Caulfield Cup. The 3200 metres has always looked like it would be ideal for him and he can deliver Hugh Bowman a maiden Melbourne Cup win.

#20 WALL OF FIRE

Wall Of Fire is the best lightweight chance in the 2017 Melbourne Cup. It has been a while between wins, but his Australian racing debut in the Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes was excellent and the perfect Melbourne Cup trial. He is capable of sustaining a long run and he will be storming home late from the tail of the field.

#13 BIG DUKE

The Melbourne Cup has always been the major 2017 Spring Racing Carnival goal for Big Duke and he was tracking nicely towards the race before he was beaten as favourite in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. He did have genuine excuses in that race and he has a similar profile to 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance.

#4 TIBERIAN

No international horse has won the Melbourne Cup without a lead-up run in Australia since Vintage Crop in 1993, but Tiberian is capable of changing that this afternoon. His form in Europe has been outstanding and he has recorded four wins from his past five starts. The 3200 metres will not be an issue and he has the tactical versatility that may be needed in the 2017 Melbourne Cup.