'Exciting ´ French Ship Sailing Onwards And Upwards

All options stay open for French Ship following his easy triumph at Newbury on Saturday.


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


He has actually been struck with another 10lb increase as a result and connections now need to decide whether to plough on with huge weights in handicaps or start into graded business.


"He's been put up 10lb, which is rather a hike, but equally it was a very strong performance," stated White.


"We couldn't have actually been better with the run and also how he's come out of the race, which is the most essential thing.


"We've no specific strategies at the moment, we wish to just see how he is and then we'll go from there.


French Ship has actually been excellent so far this season (Steven Paston/PA)


"A mark of 146 means we're either towards the head of the weights in good handicaps or he makes the leap into graded business, he's in that territory now.


"He keeps seeming to improve, hopefully he'll enhance enough to lump round off 146. Harry (Cobden) was very complimentary, . He states he's got the equipments to travel over shorter, but he also stated he 'd stay even more.


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


It might be a big weekend for the Minehead yard, with 2 of their amazing children due to be in action at various ends of the country.


Sober Glory, a 12-length winner on hurdling launching, is booked in for the Listed Betfair Exchange Claremont Novices' Hurdle at Sandown, while Captain Hugo beat 2 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 believed they 'd have a bit more rain the other day, in fact, but he'll go there. Captain Hugo will go to Aintree on Saturday also, so we've lots to look forwards to."