Strong Irish challenge for Park Hill Three Irish contenders feature in a 16-strong entry for the DFS Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster on Thursday. Among them is the Aidan O'Brien-trained Venus De Milo, who has been a fine servant to Ballydoyle with three second placings in Group One company, including this season in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. Her most recent start saw her finish last of the seven runners in the Yorkshire Oaks, a race she had been second in to The Fugue last year. Ger Lyons has a progressive sort in Roheryn, who has been been in grand form this season, winning twice before finishing a highly creditable second to Eye Of The Storm in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last month. She had previously missed an intended run in the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork due to the soft ground. The third entry from Ireland is the Tony Martin-trained Dark Crusader, who was second in the Give Thanks and was last seen in the Galtres Stakes at York. Lyons has also put Some Spirit in the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes over seven furlongs on the same card. The lightly raced daughter of Invincible Spirit was a good second to Tested in the Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary last week. Johnny Murtagh's Dalkova, conqueror of Tested at Galway, strengthens the Irish team, as does David Wachman's Booker, who was fifth in the 1,000 Guineas Trial.
