Irish trainer Willie Mullins looking for breakthrough Melbourne Cup win with Vauban, Absurde

Vauban and Absurde among 10 entries for Aidan O'Brien as he seeks to end 13-year wait for success

Irish trainer Willie Mullins is hoping to win the Melbourne Cup for the first time when he saddles Vauban and Absurde in the race that stops a nation.

Mullins has had several runners in the race in recent years, but has yet to taste success. His best result came in 2018 when Max Dynamite finished third.

This year, Mullins is hoping that Vauban or Absurde can give him the breakthrough he is looking for. Vauban is a four-year-old who has won three of his eight starts, including the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club.

Absurde is a five-year-old who has won two of his 10 starts, including the Group 3 Prix de Reux.

Both horses are owned by Rich Ricci, who has also enjoyed success in the Melbourne Cup with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Rekindling in 2017.

O'Brien is another trainer who is looking to end a long wait for Melbourne Cup success. He has saddled 10 runners in the race, but has yet to win.

This year, O'Brien has entered 10 horses in the race, including last year's runner-up, Young Werther.

Other leading contenders for the Melbourne Cup include Deauville Legend, who won the race in 2020, and Incentivise, who won the Caulfield Cup last year.

The Melbourne Cup will be run on Tuesday, November 1 at Flemington Racecourse.