Amazing win for Maria in Duke of Cambridge

Amazing Maria caused a major upset in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Formerly trained by Ed Dunlop before joining David O'Meara at the start of this season, the four-year-old grey had run well in defeat in an Ascot handicap and at the Curragh in May, but was 25-1 for what looked an even tougher task.

With Euro Charline refusing to enter the stalls, Rizeena, bidding for her third Royal success following previous victories in the Queen Mary and Coronation Stakes, was the first of the supposed big guns to commit for home.

Integral, who was odds-on to win the Group Two prize for the second successive year, went in pursuit inside the final two furlongs but eventually weakened tamely.

Amazing Maria was dropped out last early on by James Doyle, but came home powerfully to beat Rizeena by two lengths.

Cladocera was best of the rest in third.

Doyle said: "I feel bad for Danny Tudhope (injured regular rider) first of all, he should be riding her.

"I've been lucky to get on a few nice rides for David in the past and even though they might be a big price you should never discount them.

"It was a funny race, we went a slow pace early and then dashed in the last two furlongs.

"I thought the ground might be a bit quick but she quickened up well."

"She was fancied for the Guineas last year so has always had talent but I couldn't say I fancied her. David just told me to get her to relax and enjoy it.

"It's important having winners here, it's our showpiece meeting."

O'Meara said: "We've ended up with a nice filly.

"She came to Ascot on her first run for me but probably hit the front a little soon, we didn't know her that well.

"Then she ran on soft ground, which we thought she'd like, but she's shown today she obviously wants it faster.

"James gave her a lovely ride, it was always the plan to produce her late and he settled her lovely.

"Last year was special (Buckingham Palace with Louis The Pious), this is only our second winner so it's equally special."

Connections of Rizeena were pleased she had bounced back to something like her best form.

"We were very hopeful coming back to Ascot, which is her track and where she excels, that she'd go well," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum.

"We were delighted with her. There wasn't much pace in the race and when she took it up I thought she was going to win.

"She's back to her best now so she'll probably go for the usual races. It will be the Falmouth next and hopefully come back here later on (for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes)."