Melbourne Cup runner-up Marmelo has won the Prix Kergolay at Deauville to set himself up for a second tilt at Australia’s most famous race.

Trained by Hughie Morrison, Marmelo finished a length behind Godolphin’s Cross Counter in the 2018 Melbourne Cup after running second in the Group Two Prix Kergolay (3000m).

Reunited with Christophe Soumillon on Sunday (Monday AEST), Marmelo looked the class act in the race and so it proved, with the jockey sitting motionless as he cruised through the field early in the straight.

The winner of the race in 2017, Marmelo struck the front and gained a decisive advantage over the rest.

The Freddy Head-trained Call The Wind came from last to throw down a challenge, but he had too much ground to make up and finished a creditable three-quarters of a length second.

“It was a perfect, nice run. He won it a bit cosily – and it’s off to Melbourne now, I hope,” Morrison said.

“He’s broken two track records, so ground doesn’t matter. He’s a very good horse.”

Marmelo is currently a $26 shot in 2019 Melbourne Cup odds with Ladbrokes.