War set for Cup battle

War Artist could make his seasonal reappearance in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket after his return to action at Newcastle last week was thwarted by the weather.

The six-year-old was due to make a belated comeback in the Chipchase Stakes on Friday but was withdrawn after rain turned the going soft.

The top sprinter has not been in action since the July Cup almost 12 months ago and trainer James Eustace is wary of returning in such a high profile race, with a Group Three event Newbury another possible target.

"He's in the July Cup, and we are giving that consideration, but Plan B is the Hackwood," said Eustace.

"The owner has been very good, in that he has been very patient, so he will have a big say.

"But the July Cup, in the same way the Golden Jubilee did, looks very tough.

"Our middle-term aim is to go to Baden-Baden at the end of August for the Golden Pietsche. The owner is German and, for obvious reasons, he'd like to go there.

"If we went to Newbury that would fit in very well with Baden-Baden but, on the other hand, we may just decide to go for the July Cup as it is just down the road - especially if the ground was right.

"However, I'd be very, very frightened of the horse that won the King's Stand, Scenic Blast, as the turn of foot he showed was quite astonishing.

"We are thinking of the overseas races too, the Hong Kong Sprint in December might be the best bet."