Yeats ruled out (.... Melbourne Cup updates)

[Hwjb]

Contrary to reports from Australia, Yeats remains a possible starter according to APO'B. Despite returning stiff from the Irish St Leger:

"We are not closing the door on the Melbourne Cup as far as Yeats is concerned, and we intend giving it a week to see how he recovers from his race on Saturday." O'Brien.

He will need to be quarantined if Australia is to remain an option. For me, though, it is worth remembering that he failed to hold his form after winning the Coronation Cup last season, and it may well be the case that he peaked during the summer. And, for all that he wasn't that far below form on Saturday, I imagine I will be taking him on if he is to run again this season, wherever it may be. Yeats is available to back at 23/1 on Betfair for Flemington (he had been as short as 11/2 prior to this weekend).