'Exciting ´ French Ship Sailing Onwards And Upwards

All options stay open for French Ship following his easy 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 been struck with another 10lb rise as a result and connections now need to choose whether to till on with big weights in handicaps or take the plunge into graded company.


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


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


"We've no particular plans at the moment, we desire to simply see how he is and after that we'll go from there.


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


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


"He keeps seeming to enhance, ideally he'll enhance enough to swelling round off 146. Harry (Cobden) was very complimentary, not surprisingly. He says he's got the equipments to travel over shorter, however he likewise said he 'd stay even more.


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


It could be a big weekend for the Minehead lawn, with two of their interesting children due to be in action at different ends of the nation.


Sober Glory, a 12-length winner on hurdling debut, is booked in for the Listed Betfair Exchange Claremont Novices' Hurdle at Sandown, while Captain Hugo beat 2 smart enters 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."