Eustace hopes to go to War

Trainer James Eustace hopes War Artist can get back to winning ways for the first time in two years when he lines up in Saturday's Susan Hulme Birthday Conditions Stakes at Doncaster.

Eustace's six-year-old was placed in the Golden Jubilee and the July Cup last season, but his comeback this year was delayed by a number of problems over the winter.

War Artist ran well to finish fourth on his return to the track in the Hackwood Stakes, and the trainer would love to see his stable star gain a confidence boosting success.

"He's been in good form since Newbury and I was delighted with him that day as he showed plenty of speed before getting a bit tired on the ground," said Eustace.

"He didn't not handle the ground but he just got more tired than he would have done had it been fast, but he seems to have come out of it really well.

Improved

"There is no doubt he has come on from that run and we'll see what happens on Saturday. I suppose the one thing we could do without is a lot more rain.

"I think if it's good to soft we'd probably still run and we'd only consider not running if it got softer than that.

"It would be great if he could get his head in front as obviously his level of form is very good and it would be nice to make him a winner before we go onwards and upwards again.

"Providing all goes to plan on Saturday we'll look at either the Sprint Cup at Haydock (September 5) or the Golden Peitsche at Baden-Baden (August 30)."