'Exciting ´ French Ship Sailing Onwards And Upwards

All alternatives stay open for French Ship following his easy victory at Newbury on Saturday.


Philip Hobbs and Johnson White's skilled five-year-old had been raised 8lb for a win at Cheltenham in November, however he still looked ahead of the handicapper.


He has been struck with another 10lb rise as a result and connections now need to choose whether to till on with huge weights in handicaps or take the plunge into graded company.


"He's been installed 10lb, which is quite a walking, but similarly it was an extremely strong performance," stated White.


"We could not have been better with the run and likewise how he's come out of the race, which is the most important thing.


"We've no specific strategies at the minute, we wish to simply see how he is and after that we'll go from there.


French Ship has been outstanding up until now this season (Steven Paston/PA)


"A mark of 146 ways we're either towards the head of the weights in great handicaps or he makes the leap into graded company, he remains in that territory now.


"He keeps seeming to improve, ideally he'll enhance enough to lump round off 146. Harry (Cobden) was very complimentary, understandably. He states he's got the gears to take a trip over shorter, but he also stated he 'd remain even more.


"He's a charming horse, who we are extremely thrilled by."


It could be a big weekend for the Minehead backyard, with 2 of their interesting due to be in action at various ends of the country.


Sober Glory, a 12-length winner on hurdling launching, is scheduled in for the Listed Betfair Exchange Claremont Novices' Hurdle at Sandown, while Captain Hugo beat two clever types in Sinnatra and Storming George when he last ran and goes north to Aintree.


White stated: "Sober Glory goes to Sandown on Saturday. I thought they 'd have a bit more rain yesterday, in fact, however he'll go there. Captain Hugo will go to Aintree on Saturday too, so we have actually lots to look forwards to."