Trainer John O’Shea says Hartnell has come through his second in the Cox Plate in great condition and believes he warrants his place at the top of Melbourne Cup markets.

Hartnell, who is at $4.20, will be one of several Godolphin horses trying to give Sheikh Mohammed a first Melbourne Cup win next Tuesday.

Stablemate Tally, who runs in Saturday’s Lexus Stakes, is not expected to run in the Cup with O’Shea saying there are other alternatives for him.