The odds on 2008 Melbourne Cup favourite, Septimus, have been cut further after Aidan O’Brien’s Irish St Leger winner drew the 10th stall for the race, alongside stablemate Alessandro Volta.

The draw will give Septimus a tactical advantage in a race where starting position can be as important as the handicap. The presence of Alessandro Volta at his side could also be important as Septimus attempts to navigate a packed field.

“I’m happy that Septimus and Alessandro Volta both have good draws and that they are next to each other,” O’Brien told The Telegraph.

Trainer Luca Cumani also benefitted from the draw, with Mad Rush drawing the ideal starting position in the 4th stall and Geelong Cup winner Bauer drawn in the 14th stall. Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Yellowstone drew stall number 12 for the 2008 Melbourne Cup.

Dermott Weld, the only European trainer to have won the Melbourne Cup, saw entry Profound Beauty’s odds shorten after she was drawn close to the barrier in the 2nd stall.

“I’m very happy with her and I expect her to run a good race, but think Septimus and Mad Rush, the first and second favourites are going to be very hard to beat,” Weld said.