Ertijaal edged out Blue Point in a stirring race for the Group Two Meydan Sprint in Dubai.
The seven-year-old, trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi, pulled out more for Jim Crowley to win for the seventh time at the UAE track.
Crowley had to roust Ertijaal to get to the front after he missed the kick. After that, the 8-15 shot was in control and with fitness on his side, he was able to hold Blue Point's late charge by a head, as Charlie Appleby's four-year-old emerged with credit on his first start for 138 days.
Despite the defeat, Blue Point was cut to favouritism at 6-4 from 11-4 for the Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night with Paddy Power, while Ertijaal lost his place as market leader, being eased out to 9-4 from 6-4.
Irish challenger Hit The Bid, trained by Darren Bunyan, ran well in third.