The race is for horses three years old or over and is run over 3200 metres at the Flemington racecourse.

2020 Melbourne Cup day promises to be like no other with COVID-19 restrictions in place across Australia but don't worry - we've got your Cup day all sorted.

Make sure you're in front of a television at 3pm to watch all the action unfold.

Parkes

Star Hotel - 350 Clarinda Street, Parkes.

Sweepstakes of different values, TAB facilities, staff assistance with TAB enquiries and lunch specials.

Parkes Leagues Club - 194 Clarinda Street, Parkes

'All You Can Eat' Chinese buffet, $10 beer jugs, $5 sparkling, full TAB facilities and sweepstakes.

Tullamore

Tullamore Hotel - Corner Cardigan and Haylock Streets, Tullamore.

Sweepstakes of different values, TAB, Keno and bistro food.

Forbes

The Forbes Inn - 43 Rankin Street, Forbes.

Mystery ticket giveaway, TAB vouchers and gift packs. TAB opens 7.30am.

Young

Young Golf Club - 181 William Street, Young.

$30 per person: two course lunch, sweepstakes and Best Dressed competitions. Bookings essential.

Grenfell

Royal Hotel, 78 Main Street, Grenfell.

2-for-1 meals, Best Dressed competitions (male and female) and sweepstakes.

Canowindra

Rosnay Organic - 510 Rivers Road, Canowindra.

$45 per person, which includes lunch and Rosnay Sparkling Rose. Op Shop 'Fashions on the Field' with sashes and prizes awarded. Bookings essential.

Can't make it to the pub? In the 2020 world of COVID-19 restrictions, there are plenty of ways to celebrate from home and make it a Cup day to remember.

Front yard fashion: Just because you aren't track side, doesn't mean you can't look your best. You can go with designer clothes and fashionable millinery or the other route would be to challenge your guests to a 'make your own hat' competition. If you're feeling more adventurous, dress up in jockey colours and have a race around the yard!

Instagram worth platters: No gathering is complete without a picture perfect platter filled with cheese, dips, charcuterie, fruit and crackers. Order one or make your own - either way it will impress your guests.

Sweeps: Melbourne Cup without sweepstakes is like cupcakes without frosting. There are plenty of printable sweeps sheets available online or you can join in the official Lexus Melbourne Cup sweeps at cupweek2020.com.au.

Bubbly: Melbourne Cup day is all about the bubbly. For those with finer tastes, you can get a bottle of GH Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut for just $48 from BWS Parkes. If prosecco is more your go, Brown Brothers ($20, BWS Parkes) does a delicious one.

Tunes: The official Melbourne Cup carnival website has some specially curated Spotify playlists to keep the party pumping.

Since Saturday's barrier draw, the biggest market move was Tiger Moth drifting from $7 to $8 after copping an absolute horror draw with barrier 23 while Anthony Van Dyck's jockey Hugh Bowman was licking his lips after scoring barrier 3. Finche, after some luckless runs, drew barrier 6 and will have no excuse.

Since 1925 no horse has won from barrier 18 (sorry King of Leogrance), while the most successful barriers are 5 and 11 with eight wins. Barriers 10 and 14 have produced six wins apiece.

The perennially underrated Jamie Kah is the only female jockey riding this year, and is currently leading the Victorian Jockey Premiership. From Barrier 1, she'll have every chance to ride her first ever Melbourne Cup winner. Kerrin McEvoy, Glen Boss and Damien Oliver have all won this race three times - one less than the record for most wins. New Zealander James McDonald, perhaps the most talented horseman in the country, has been in fantastic form in NSW.

Flying the flag: Vow and Declare, Warning, Persan.

As per usual, the race is dominated by international runners. Last year's winner Vow and Declare isn't going anywhere near as well this campaign while Warning didn't fire a shot in the Caulfield Cup. Persan won the Group 3 Bart Cummings, which can be a good guide for the Cup.

Top international hopes: Anthony Van Dyck, Master of Reality, Sir Dragonet, Verry Elleegant, Prince of Arran, Surprise Baby, Russian Camelot, Tiger Moth.

Throw a blanket over this lot, they are a group of very talented horses. Anthony Van Dyck will probably start favourite after drawing Barrier 3 and his win over Stradivarius two starts back was mighty impressive. Sir Dragonet was very impressive in the Cox and Verry Elleegant has now won three Group 1's this campaign. Surprise Baby was desperately unlucky in last year's Cup while Tiger Moth only needs to carry 52.5kg.

Need to lift: Ashrun, The Chosen One, Avilius, Stratum Albion, Oceanex, Finche, Miami Bound.

Finche is the most well-fancied of these runners, but unfortunately keeps finding ways not to win while Ashrun will struggle with backing up after a tough few runs. Avilius will need a big effort to run out the 3200 metres and it likely won't be wet enough for Miami Bound.

Diamonds in the rough: Twilight Payment, Steel Prince, King of Leogrance.

Steel Prince was impressive when taking out the Geelong Cup while Twilight Payment has improved out of sight back in the UK since running in last year's Cup.

Making up the numbers: Mustajeer, Dashing Willoughby, Etah James.

Hard to see any of these making an impression after their recent runs in races of a much lower standard.

As per usual, picking a winner in the Melbourne Cup is like trying to choose which puppy in the litter is cutest - you can find a reason for most of them. Doesn't stop the nation from trying though - and we here are no different.

Please gamble responsibly.

Winner: Prince of Arran. $11 fixed win.

Has the wonderful hands of Jamie Kah on the reins and never runs a bad race in Australia. Barrier 1 is a big plus and he is doing even better this year than he was when second in the 2019 Melbourne Cup.

Place bet: Persan. $8.50 fixed place.

It's been a long campaign for Persan, but he absolutely loves Flemington and has just 51kg on his back. Hoping the win in the Group 3 Bart Cummings over 2500m is a good form line for this.

First Four: 1/4/11/12/13/24