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Aidan O'Brien's exciting prospect Darwin is among a strong contingent from Ireland left in the Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The ex-American three-year-old has won both his starts since joining the Ballydoyle team, quickening clear to beat Gordon Lord Byron by a length and three-quarters in the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh last month.

Gordon Lord Byron, a Group One winner over the Hungerford distance of seven furlongs, is also entered, while O'Brien has the option of running last year's St James's Palace Stakes winner Most Improved and Jersey Stakes winner Gale Force Ten.

Mike De Kock has a strong candidate in Soft Falling Rain, who is set to make his British debut and brings with him a tall reputation after winning three times in Dubai at the beginning of the year, latterly in the Godolphin Mile.

The South African trainer lowered Telescope's colours at Haydock on Saturday in the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes with David Livingston.

While De Kock's camp are excited at the prospect of seeing Soft Falling Rain back in action, assistant trainer Steve Jell has warned that the colt will improve enormously for the run.

He said: "Soft Falling Rain is coming along nicely, but you must remember that he's had a good few months off since he last ran. He's been over here a while now and has been going nicely at home. We'll just see what happens on Saturday, we won't rush into making any future plans until we get this out of the way.

"It will be good to see him back in action, he looked very good in Dubai. We just want to see him run a nice race, but all of our horses that we've run over here have improved massively after their first run and I reckon that will be the case with him."

The David Simcock duo of Trade Storm and Caspar Netscher, Lennox Stakes winner Garswood and Guineas-placed Glory Awaits are also in. Gregorian, Red Jazz and Producer are others to feature among 18 possibles for the Group Two contest.