Meydan Horse Racing Tips: Nocturnal Affair

With nothing catching my eye in the UK, I’m going abroad for today’s tip in the 4.20 at Meydan. It is the start of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and we have a high quality sprint handicap to get stuck into.

Fortunately UK and Irish raiders, giving us an easier read on the form, dominate the race. In terms of track bias, the five furlong straight course is fair; the key is to be tracking the pace as often the field can spread quite wide.

Zero Money is the only prominent runner and is drawn in stall 10. He made my shortlist but I was concerned by Roger Charlton’s tweet suggesting the ground could have been overwatered. His horse needs firm ground and is therefore passed over. Drawn on his outside in stall 11 is Nocturnal Affair and the Portland winner is my selection.

This South African import only had four runs for David Marnane last season but looked very useful in his limited appearances. He won two of his four starts, including the competitive Portland handicap at Doncaster and a listed race at Dundalk. He clocked some good times in both, suggesting he is better than a handicapper.

He is versatile in terms of going conditions and is also well travelled having raced at Meydan before. I am therefore confident he will be able to replicate his European form in Dubai this winter. At 7/1 (Ladbrokes) he looks the best bet of the day.