'Exciting ´ French Ship Sailing Onwards And Upwards

All options stay open for French Ship following his simple victory at Newbury on Saturday.


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


He has actually been hit with another 10lb rise as an outcome and connections now need to choose whether to plough on with huge weights in handicaps or start into graded business.


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


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


"We have actually no particular plans at the moment, we wish to simply see how he is and then we'll go from there.


French Ship has been outstanding 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 company, he's in that area now.


"He keeps seeming to improve, ideally he'll enhance enough to swelling round off 146. Harry (Cobden) was really complimentary, naturally. He says he's got the equipments to travel over much shorter, but he also said he 'd stay even more.


"He's a beautiful horse, who we are very excited by."


It might be a big weekend for the Minehead backyard, with two of their amazing youngsters due to be in action at different ends of the country.


Sober Glory, a 12-length winner on hurdling debut, is scheduled in for the Exchange Claremont Novices' Hurdle at Sandown, while Captain Hugo beat 2 clever key ins Sinnatra and Storming George when he last ran and goes north to Aintree.


White said: "Sober Glory goes to Sandown on Saturday. I believed they 'd have a bit more rain yesterday, really, however he'll go there. Captain Hugo will go to Aintree on Saturday as well, so we've lots to look forwards to."