Ballydoyle pair could tackle Taghrooda Aidan O'Brien has declared Venus De Milo and Tapestry as he prepares to take on the mighty Taghrooda in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on Thursday. Venus De Milo finished second to The Fugue in last season's running of the Group One contest and though she was well beaten in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on her last appearance, the return to 12 furlongs is expected to be much more to her liking. Tapestry leads the three-year-old challenge after her fast-finishing second in the Irish Oaks, in which she had Luca Cumani's Volume just behind. The pair could renew rivalry as both are among nine fillies remaining in the Knavesmire race. Taghrooda's progression this season has been startling, from winning a Listed race on her reappearance via Classic glory in the Investec Oaks. Connections were then rewarded for taking the bold decision to skip the Irish Oaks in favour of taking on the older colts in the King George And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, where she was ultra-impressive. She is likely to be a very warm order to maintain her unbeaten record. Last year's Oaks victor Talent, without a win since Epsom, is one of two entries for Ralph Beckett, who has also left in Secret Gesture. Godolphin's Tasaday, smart for Andre Fabre last year, has been left in by Saeed bin Suroor after she won her first race in England at Listed level last month. Richard Hannon's Lustrous and Tony Coyle's Lily Rules complete the list.
