Doubts over Melbourne Cup runs for Marmelo and Ispolini.

Byline: Jack Haynes in Melbourne

DOUBT has been cast over the participation of two of Britain's leading Melbourne Cup hopes after Ispolini and Marmelo were scanned after showing signs of soreness at Werribee's international horse centre.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Ispolini was referred to the equine clinic at the University of Melbourne over the weekend after being inspected by Racing Victoria vets, with connections opting to send the German St Leger winner for further testing in Ballarat.

Marmelo similarly underwent a standing CT scan at the University of Melbourne and trainer Hughie Morrison is set to discuss the results with vets today.

Marmelo and Ispolini are general 14-1 chances to win the Flemington feature next Tuesday.

The top 35 ranked acceptors for the race will be subject to pre-race veterinary examinations on Thursday and Friday.

They will not include Avilius, Homesman and Yucatan, who were taken out at the third acceptance stage yesterday, while Pat Cosgrave has been booked to ride the Joseph O'Brien-trained Twilight Payment and James McDonald will partner stablemate Latrobe.

CAPTION(S):

Horses train on the main track at Santa Anita yesterday ahead of the two-day Breeders' Cup meeting which begins on Friday