Point Nepean ruled out of Melbourne Cup after elevated blood result

The Melbourne Cup has suffered another blow after vets made a concerning find just one day out from the great race.

Alana Kelly returns to the mounting yard on Point Nepean (IRE) after winning the Lexus Andrew Ramsden at Flemington Racecourse on May 14, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

The field for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup has been reduced to 23 after Point Nepean was ruled out on Monday due to an elevated blood result.

The development on Monday leaves Lloyd Williams with just one horse, Serpentine ($71), in the 3200m race.

“Robert Hickmott stable has advised RV Stewards that Point Nepean has returned elevated blood results and has been withdrawn from tomorrow’s Lexus Melbourne Cup,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.

Robert Hickmott stable has advised RV Stewards that Point Nepean has returned elevated blood results and has been withdrawn from tomorrow’s Lexus Melbourne Cup

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) October 30, 2022

While it is unclear exactly which markers in Point Nepean’s blood were elevated, an elevated blood result often points to the horse being in the early stages of an illness.

Point Nepean was due to be ridden by jockey Warne Lordan.

There could yet be more scratchings ahead of the great race with Lunar Flare ($19) set for another inspection on Tuesday.

The $51 chance is the first official scratching of the $8m race and therefore cannot be replaced for the race that stops the nation, which gets underway at 3pm AEDT at Flemington Racecourse.

However three horses were ruled out in the days before Saturday night’s barrier draw.

German import Loft was ruled out on Friday after Racing Victoria vets discovered an injured tendon.

Makram was also ruled out on Friday after vets discovered an abnormality in his CT scan.

That news came just one day after vets ruled Caulfield Cup winner Durston out of the Cup after spotting a potential injury during pre-race scans.

Alana Kelly returns to the mounting yard on Point Nepean (IRE) after winning the Lexus Andrew Ramsden at Flemington Racecourse on May 14, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

The track is likely to be in the soft or heavy range on Tuesday, with rain and low temperatures forecast in the lead-up and on raceday.

Punters.com.au reports the early speed is against the outside rail, with Serpentine and Knights Order sure to dash across from barriers 23 and 24 respectively.

That should lead to a genuine early tempo, with the field likely to string right out over the first 800m. Numerian, High Emocean and Interpretation should be handy from favourable gates.

The favourite Deauville Legend maps nicely around midfield with cover, while Camorra, Hoo Ya Mal and Without A Fight will need a bit of luck early to slot in.

Deauville Legend ridden by Angus Villiers during trackwork at Werribee Racecourse on October 30, 2022 in Werribee, Australia. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

MELBOURNE CUP BARRIERS

1: Grand Promenade

2: Stockman

3: Emissary

4: Vow and Declare

5: Realm of Flowers

6: Interpretation

7: Numerian

8: High Emocean

9: Deauville Legend

10: Duais

11: Montefilia

12: Lunar Flare

13: Daqiansweet Junior

14: Gold Trip

15: Hoo Ya Mal

16: Smokin Romans

17: Camorra

18: Without A Fight

19: Arapaho

20: Point Napean

21: Young Werther

22: Tralee Rose

23: Serpentine

24: Knights Order

MELBOURNE CUP BARRIER STATISTICS

Barrier 5: Eight wins

Barriers 10, 14, 19: Seven wins

Barrier 11: Six wins

Barriers 1, 4, 6, 8, 17: Five wins

Barrier 18: Zero wins

Originally published as Point Nepean ruled out of Melbourne Cup after elevated blood result