James Eustace

James Eustace believes Salden Licht has a solid chance in the totesport.com November Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday if he stays the trip.

The French import has improved steadily on each of his three starts for Eustace since joining from Andre Fabre and having caught the eye in third behind Rainbow Peak on his last run, Eustace hopes the five-year-old is hitting top form at just the right time.

"He had a run at Wolverhampton in a race that was won by a subsequent Grade One winner (Gitano Hernando) and he finished upsides a Breeders' Cup winner (Muhannak), so it turned out to be a hell of a race," said Newmarket-based Eustace.

"I ran him there because he was desperate for a run and then he ran a nice race in a mile handicap at Salisbury and the winner (Prince Of Dance) has franked the form since.

"He stepped up from that in the mile-and-a-quarter race at Newbury last time and that showed he would stay further.

"I was very impressed with the winner (Rainbow Peak) both in the paddock and during the race, so that was no disgrace to be third to him with top weight, and I thought it was a nice trial for the November Handicap.

"He looked like he'd get further, but the only thing is he needs it soft and that will place extra emphasis on his stamina. He's the type of horse I hope they let me go hurdling with.

"I've got him through Paul Harley, who is racing manager to Rupert Plersch, War Artist's owner. He bought him to go to Dubai last winter but he picked up an injury, which might not have been the worst thing in the world to have happened."