Soft Falling Rain pours it on in UAE 2000 Guineas for Mike de Kock

Last updated: 15th February 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Paul Hanagan (left) was aboard the winner at Meydan

Soft Falling Rain took his unbeaten record to five with a clear-cut victory in the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan.

The Mike de Kock-trained runner justified his short price of 8/11 in this Group Three over a mile with a smooth success.

Paul Hanagan had the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt sat just behind the Tom Dascombe-trained leader Deauville Prince in the early stages.

Hanagan set sail for home at the top of the straight and gradually asserted to win by two and a quarter lengths from Snowboarder with Zahee, also trained by De Kock, third just ahead of Deauville Prince.

Hanagan told At The Races: "I have to say a great team effort from Mike de Kock and the lads.

"He was a bit fresh the first two runs. He's totally gone the right way now - lovely and relaxed.

"There's always a bit of doubt in your mind (about a longer trip), but the way he relaxed last time and from sitting on him at home I was always pretty confident."