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Ed Dunlop was thrilled with Red Cadeaux's performance in finishing second in the Emirates Melbourne Cup again.

Runner-up in the race in 2011, the seven-year-old overcame a wide draw and a big weight to go down narrowly to Fiorente at Flemington.

Dunlop was also quick to heap praise on Gerald Mosse for the ride.

The trainer said: "The jockey has probably given as good a ride as he could without winning a Melbourne Cup.

I'm so proud of the horse. He's older and he's carrying more weight and he's probably run as well, if not better, than when he was second here before.

"You never know, he could still come back here next year, but we will certainly be looking at Japan and Hong Kong."

Luca Cumani is another to have come agonisingly close to a first British win with both Bauer and Purple Moon finishing second in 2008 and 2007 respectively.

Mount Athos was fifth in the race last year and Cumani was pleased with his effort in third this time, although he admitted his draw in stall 22 had hardly helped his chance.

He said: "He was in the right place and there were no excuses. he's run a great race and finished off well. It's hard to change the draw now, but I'll certainly be back here next year if I've got the horse."

Willie Mullins was similarly satisfied with fourth-placed Simenon and could target the race again next year.

"There were no excuses, he was just beaten by a better horse on the day. He was there all the way round. I've no problem coming back and maybe he might have some company," said the Irish handler.

Marco Botti felt the two-mile trip might have stretched Dandino's stamina, despite his charge running on for fifth.

He said: "He stayed all right but Ryan (Moore, jockey) said he did get a little tired in the last furlong. He still ran very well and we could go to Hong Kong."

Owner Michael Owen reported that Brown Panther was struck into during the race.

He tweeted: "8th out of 24 pretty respectable. Proud of him. Just hope he is OK as he has been struck into during the race."

Owen later confirmed that Brown Panther's injury was nothing too severe, again tweeting: "Scan has come back clear. Only superficial gash that requires stitches. We live to fight another day!!!"

French-trained runner Verema pulled up sharply in the early stages of the race after suffering a serious injury, and it was later confirmed that she had been put down after fracturing her right foreleg.