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

Last updated: 15th February 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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

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."