NEWMARKET (JULY) 15:15

Non Runners: INTEGRAL, LADY DUTCH.

Time: 1m 42.05s Closing Sectional: (3f): 33s (116%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 115%, Betfair SP 101.9%

The withdrawal of last year's winner Integral removed further gloss from an already under-par Falmouth, and the race itself couldn't have been much more unsatisfactory, position and jockeyship absolutely vital as the sprint began 2f out, Amazing Maria's rider excelling where others failed, arguable only the first 2 ran up to their best.

AMAZING MARIA (IRE) confirmed herself a smart filly as she proved Ascot was no flash in the pan, though there must be a chance her last 2 runs will prove career highlights, an outstanding ride this time behind her upsetting some with better form, their riders not seen to anything like so good effect as Doyle; patiently ridden, sensibly moved close up around halfway to prepare for dash, challenged under 2f out, edged ahead final 1f, dug deep under pressure as pack threatened to close, seen to maximum effect; she'll be opposable next time, unlikely in fact she'll uphold form with such as Lucida were they to meet again.

EURO CHARLINE stepped up on her reappearance run having missed another 3 months, though there were no excuses for failing to recapture her 3-y-o best, always ideally placed, perhaps not quite what she was given her pre-season setback abroad; chased leader, not settle fully, led over 2f out, headed when edged left and hindered Lucida final 1f, kept on.

AVENIR CERTAIN (FR) has been better than the bare result on all 3 starts this year, poorly placed as the sprint began this time, unlucky not to win the way it developed but perhaps not so much so as a couple behind; patiently ridden, headway when switched under 2f out, flashed tail briefly, ran on.

BAWINA (IRE) did little to alter her positive profile 10 weeks on from her return, a good effort under the circumstances, up against it the way the race developed; in touch, headway when hampered/carried left final 1f, ran on, not well placed; sure to make another bold bid next time.

FINTRY (IRE) predictably failed to uphold Chantilly placings with Avenir Certain, despite again having a positional edge on that rival in a tactical race; handy, driven under 2f out, one paced.

LUCIDA (IRE) looked the pick of the weights, one of the best 3-y-o milers in receipt of 9 lb from all bar Arabian Queen, and ought to have proven the point with a win, her rider rather caught out as things became tactical, passed by and then held in by the winner while still going strongly, the writing on the wall before she had a chance to open up; in touch, travelled best, going well when no room from 2f out, switched inside final 1f after impeded as well by hanging runner-up, finished with running left; her record of placings this year doesn't disguise her quality, and things will surely fall right before long.

ARABIAN QUEEN (IRE) had something to find and couldn't make use of the advantage of dictating a steady pace, albeit after failing to settle.