Irish trainer Willie Mullins has vowed to keep returning for the Melbourne Cup after having to settle for another placing in Australia's most famous race.

Mullins had three runners in Tuesday's Cup with Max Dynamite finishing best of the trio in third behind fellow Irish-trained horses Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer.

Eight-year-old Max Dynamite was also placed in the 2015 Cup when second to Prince Of Penzance.

Max Dynamite's stablemate Thomas Hobson ran home for sixth and was ridden by apprentice Ben Allen who picked up the ride during Tuesday's meeting when Hong Kong champion Joao Moreira was stood down after a fall in an earlier race.

Wicklow Brave, Mullins' other runner, finished 10th.

"Max Dynamite looked like he had a great chance turning for home," Mullins said.

"He was looking for room to get out and when he got out he just didn't have the speed of the younger horses.

"He got out and just didn't have the the legs at this stage of his career to finish it off. But he ran a fantastic race and I was delighted with him.

"Thomas Hobson was slow early and once he got wound up he ran on well in the straight.

"Wicklow Brave just seemed to get into trouble and didn't give his pilot an easy time. But to finish tenth and get a cheque was a very good result in the circumstances. What more could you ask for?"

Thomas Hobson is the same age as Max Dynamite while Wicklow Brave is a year older.

And while Mullins is keen to return for another Cup tilt, he indicated it would be unlikely to be with the same horses.

"These guys are probably at the end of their career at this level. But I'll be back, don't worry," Mullins said.

"If we have the horses and the owners we'll keep coming back.

"It's a prize worth coming down for and if we have the horses we'll definitely come."

WILLIE MULLINS' RECORD IN THE MELBOURNE CUP

2017: Max Dynamite (3rd), Thomas Hobson (6th), Wicklow Brave (10th)

2016: Wicklow Brave (22nd)

2015: Max Dynamite (2nd)

2013: Simenon (4th)

2003: Holy Orders (17th)