War declared for Longchamp raid

James Eustace is eyeing the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in October as an end-of-season target for War Artist following the sprinter's encouraging comeback run at Newbury.The six-year-old ran well for a long way when fourth to High Standing in Saturday's six-furlong Shadwell Stakes, after being off the track since finishing third in last year's July Cup.The Newmarket trainer said: "I haven't got him in the Nunthorpe this year because everything was up in the air and it might be a bit too good too soon. The Abbaye is later on and gives us time to get him teed up. I'm sure he'll come on for that run (Saturday) and hopefully he'll come on for his next run."Eustace added: "As long as it wasn't very soft ground it would be OK and he didn't move badly on the ground yesterday. I think it found him out fitness-wise, but I don't think in the future we wouldn't run him if the ground was just on the soft side of good especially if it was over five."The great thing is he showed his old dash."War Artist's next race is likely to be a six-furlong conditions race at Doncaster on August 1.Eustace added: "There's a very suitable conditions race over six in a fortnight's time. I couldn't have written the conditions for a race any better myself. He even gets a weight allowance. It would be really nice to get his head in front somewhere and go on from there."The alternative to Doncaster is a five-furlong conditions race at Deauville in the middle of the following week."