Runner-up in both the G1 English and Irish Oaks, Lael Stable's Architecture (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) has a final try at a European Classic on Sunday and in theory, the test presented to her in Dusseldorf's G1 Preis der Diana represents relatively easy fare. Despite that premise, it is worth remembering that the Epsom Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) met with defeat when the hot favourite three years ago and nothing can be taken for granted especially after three tough runs in two months. The first of those came when pushing Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) closest at Epsom June 3 and she bounced back from a subsequent below-par eighth in the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot 13 days later to find only Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) too strong in the Curragh Classic July 16.
Of the home team, it is difficult to find a stand-out but there are several who hold claims. Gestut Gorlsdorf's Meergorl (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) may be marginally the best of them, having beaten the re-opposing Pagella (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) by a neck in Hoppegarten's G2 Diana-Trial over a mile and a quarter June 12. She bids to emulate Amarette (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and Iota (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) who completed that double in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Gestut Wittekindshof's Near England (Ire) (Lord of England {Ger}) took the G3 Hamburger Stuten-Preis over 11 furlongs on heavy ground at Hamburg July 9, but is the second-string of connections behind Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). She took the Listed Preis Dusseldorf over 10 1/2 furlongs June 25, where the subsequent course-and-distance winner Sarandia (Ger) (Dansili {GB}) was back in fourth, and currently sits second favourite behind Architecture.
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