It is never too early to start combing through the Melbourne Cup entries ahead of the race that stops a nation.

To save time, we’ve done the work for you, running an eye over the top 30 horses in the order of entry. The final field of 24 will be announced on Saturday.

Melbourne Cup hopeful Buckaroo, left, runs a narrow second in the Cox Plate. Credit: Getty Images

Al Riffa (FR)

6yoH (stallion), 59kg

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Jockey: Mark Zahra

Career: 15: 5-5-1

Last start: First of nine, group 1 Irish St Leger (2816 metres)

Russell says: Impeccable UK and Irish firm, and bought by Australian connections with this race in mind. But history says that top-weighted imports don’t win our greatest staying race first-up in Australia. Has gun hoop Mark Zahra on board, who has won t

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