GET INTO SHIP SHAPE

French can shine again at Newbury

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THE last time FRENCH SHIP (1.40) departed his dock, he bolted up by nearly four lengths from 19 rivals at Cheltenham in October when racing off a perch of 128.

Not surprisingly, the assessor was impressed and hiked the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White improver to a ledge of 136.

But he still looks ahead of his mark, so the five-year-old will carry my hard earned in the Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles at Newbury.

Harry Cobden is a rare jockey booking for the veteran Minehead trainer.

The most fascinating race of the season so far is the Bet MGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle over two miles at Newcastle.

I would not trust Constitution Hill as he has been beaten on his last three starts, while Anzadam may need his seasonal debut for Willie Mullins.