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Paul Hanagan steered Maftool to a narrow success for Godolphin in the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan.
Maftool had been beaten by Mubtaahij when slowly away in the official trial for this Group Three contest four weeks ago, but got away on level terms this time.
Richard Hughes set the pace on the Richard Hannon-trained Burnt Sugar until Mubtaahij hit the front two furlongs out, with Maftool (11-10 favourite) in close attendance. Saeed bin Suroor's colt hit the front in the final furlong but was all out to hold the renewed effort of Mike de Kock's runner ridden by Pat Dobbs.
Hanagan said: "He's always got relaxed in the stalls, sometimes too much, and he was slowly away last time but they've done a great job with him at home.
"He started to get in the kickback so I pulled him out, but then ended up getting there too soon.
"He had to battle in the end."