Late charge sees Bedouin’s Story deny Dubai Mirage

Bedouin’s Story overcame a 481-day absence when getting up on the line to edge out Dubai Mirage in a blanket finish to a mile turf handicap at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 28 January.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained six-year-old broke slowly and was anchored at the rear of the 16 runners by Frankie Dettori.

He still had all but one of his rivals in front of him at the top of the straight but flew home down the centre of the course, heading stable-companion Dubai Mirage (Hector Crouch) on the line for a nose victory, with just over two lengths separating the first 11 home.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Bedouin’s Story had been off the track for a long time. Frankie gave him a good ride and it is nice to see the horse back winning.”

Frankie Dettori said: “Bedouin’s Story is a bit of a thinker, so I tried to confuse him! I dropped him on the fence and then I was looking for a run. I switched him right and then he decided to go.

“He is probably very talented but has been very hard to keep sound and it’s also very hard to win on him because everything has to fall right. It did today but I’m not guaranteeing that it will happen next time, although he has plenty of ability.

“You have to have eyes all over the place when you have 15 horses to pass but I had the splits at the right time and, when it comes off, you give yourself a pat on the back. Most of the times it doesn’t, so this time I got away with it.”