Verdict

There was little between the Gosden mare Furia Cruzada and LOVING THINGS when they filled the places behind Endless Time in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock in July. Both were well beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks subsequently but the latter is far less exposed and today’s shorter trip on softer ground may bring a return to form for Luca Cumani’s filly with Christophe Soumillon’s presence boosting confidence. Winning handicapper Sharja Queen will need to take another step forward in this company while the home challenge is led by Andre Fabre’s three runners. Switching represents Godolphin and has placed in Listed contests, Armande has a shout on her earlier placed effort behind The Juliet Rose and Spice Trail could be anything having won a maiden over course and distance by five lengths last month.

Formwatch

Furia Cruzada (CHI) 13-2 (9-0) Keen, close up, went wide 8f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 29l behind Dal Harraild (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gf in Sep.

Loving Things 50-1 (9-7) Keen close up, outpaced over 3f out, 8th of 12, 27 1/2l behind Seventh Heaven (8-11) at York 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gf in Aug.

Testarossa (POL) (9-2) 5th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Sweet Smoke (9-3) at Compiegne 1m 2f hcp sft in Oct.

Spice Trail (9-2) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f stks gs in Sep beating Ashiqana (9-2) by 5l, 18 ran.

Sharja Queen 6-1 (9-5) In touch, headway 3f out, pushed along to chase leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp fll (2) gf in Oct beating Malmoosa (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.

Not Only Florina (IRE) (8-13) won at Toulouse 1m 2f lst stks gd in Sep beating Endless Summer (8-13) by shd, 8 ran.

Armande (IRE) (8-10) 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Shehiyr (8-13) at Compiegne 1m 4f stks sft in Oct.

Switching (USA) (8-13) 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Palinodie (8-13) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 2f lst stks gd in Oct.

Restiana (FR) (9-3) 9th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Palinodie (8-13) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 2f lst stks gd in Oct.