Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Pair Take Top Spots In Godolphin Mile, Sponsored by Etisalat (Image DRC/Watkins) 

Horses owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum filled the first two places in a thrilling renewal of the US$1 million Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat after Soft Falling Rain collared Haatheq deep into the stretch to score by three-quarters of a length under Paul Hanagan.

As game as the winner was, Haatheq looked likely to prevail when Royston Ffrench kicked for home with 400 metres remaining of the 1,600-metre journey. The evergreen six-year-old, who ran fifth in this race last year, dashed into a clear lead that forced Soft Falling Rain to dig deep to overhaul.

"It was an incredible race and he ran his heart out," Ffrench said afterwards. "It was great for His Highness to finish first and second. Obviously I'd have liked to have been on the other end of it but I'm very pleased."

Having broken alertly, Soft Falling Rain was obliged to race wide as Red Jazz went to the front, but Capital Attraction soon advanced to take control at halfway. At that stage Paul Hanagan aboard the winner had no choice but to launch his bid on the outer, forfeiting ground as he raced widest of all into the straight.

"They went so quick from the start that I had to go wider than I wanted all the way," Hanagan related. "I wondered whether he could come forward when we reached the straight but this horse is so genuine."

Soft Falling Rain only eroded Haatheq's lead inch by inch but he had built an inexorable momentum even though Hanagan was riding him hard. And while the two horses served up a compelling stretch duel there was marginally more purpose to Soft Falling Rain's stride.

It was a particularly noteworthy victory from the son of National Assembly, since he was the only three-year-old in the 16-runner field.

Soft Falling Rain is now unbeaten in six starts, the last three in Dubai after posting three on the bounce in South Africa for Mick de Kock's stable. He landed the UAE 2,000 Guineas sponsored by Al Tayer Motors with great ease but had to battle hard this time.

"I haven't seen too many horses under pressure that far out and still find something at the finish," a delighted de Kock said. "It just shows how good a horse he is. Turning for home I would have been happy to be second but the horse dug in and fought all the way."

Soft Falling Rain is now scheduled to transfer to Britain, where he will contest that country's best sprint prizes. "I would rather drop him back in trip that step him up," de Kock said. "He shows plenty of natural speed in his homework."

Moonwalk In Paris finished with a flourish to take third place, one length ahead of Sarkiyla in fourth, with Alpha and Rerouted running respectably in fifth and sixth places.