The Melbourne Cup has been reduced to a 22 horse race after English entrant Cavalryman was scratched at the last minute due to leg swelling.

The nine-year-old was in doubt on Monday afternoon, with leg x-rays being examined by Cavalryman’s team of veterinarians in Dubai.

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The stallion finished 12th in the 2012 Melbourne Cup.

Cavalryman was an entrant from Godolphin Racing, an international breeding and racing house founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the United Arab Emirates’ Vice President.

Sea Moon was also scratched from the race on Monday after developing an elevated temperature.