French Ship setting sail for Kempton next month

French Ship, who has impressed in winning at Cheltenham and Newbury this season, is likely to have his next outing in the Coral Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on January 10.

A faller on his return to action in the Silver Trophy at Kempton, the five-year-old made amends at Cheltenham in October.

Put up 8lb for that success, he went to Newbury, again impressed and has gone up another 10lb in the ratings.

“French Ship is in great form and he’s probably going to run in the Lanzarote, that’s the plan,” said Johnson White, who trains the five-year-old with Philip Hobbs.

“He will get further, we think, but he doesn’t need to get further just yet, so at the moment that is the plan.

“He’s been winning over the trip of the Lanzarote and that is the next chance he’ll get over it off his current mark.

“We’ll take it one step at a time, but he hasn’t put a foot wrong yet this season, he’s in great form and we couldn’t be happier with him.”