Bear Story (noseband) © Photo Healy Racing
Bear Story (6/1) repeated last year's victory in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Diamond Stakes under Ronan Whelan.
Having tracked the pace-setters, the Kodiac colt disputed the lead with Freescape a furlong out and edged ahead close home to beat that rival by a neck. Annerville was third, a further length and a quarter back, with 10/11 favourite State Occasion unable to land a blow in fourth.
This race was a Group 3 last year and now carries Listed status.
Winning trainer Michael Halford said: "It was a very strong renewal of the race, in fairness.
"This horse has matured a lot this year and, in fairness, he really deserved a race. He had run some wonderful races and he was carrying a 3lb penalty all year. He was just getting chinned.
"The weights were in his favour today and he loves that surface, he floats on it. He was guaranteed to go on it where some of the others might not.
"I'm thrilled for his owner Johnny Connaughton, he bred him and he stayed with him.
"He has a great will to win - when the other horse (Freescape) came on terms with him, he had the beating of him, but he stuck his neck out.
Quotes from Michael Graham
