This Weekend on Sky Sports Racing: Newbury Hosts Spring Trials

The Spring Trials weekend is underway at Newbury, with Shabab Al Ahli facing off against Sahara King in the feature Darley EBF Novice Stakes. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Shabab Al Ahli is looking to build on his impressive win at Southwell in February, where he earned a quote of 33-1 for the Derby. The colt will be stepping down in distance and will aim to assert his dominance in the field. Appleby has a good record in this race, having won the inaugural running in 2023 with Military Order. Sahara King, on the other hand, is a promising animal who won on his debut at Wolverhampton in November. His form has been boosted by the subsequent success of Mohaaraj, who finished fourth in that race. Another horse to watch is My Love Is King, trained by John Gosden, who is having his second run after a winning debut at Newcastle. He currently holds a Derby entry and is priced at 40-1 for the big event. The Gilded Prize is also in action, looking to take top honors in the Henri Matisse Coolmore Prix Cleopatre as she heads towards the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. This talented daughter of Frankel has only run twice but has made a significant impression, winning comfortably on her debut and then stretching clear of her rivals on her reappearance. Her trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, had an outstanding season last year and may have unearthed another gem. Other notable races include the Greenham Stakes, where Zavateri and Albert Einstein will clash, and the Bridget 'Confined' Maiden Fillies' Stakes, which features some exciting pedigrees, including Synchronicity, a full-sister to Ombudsman, and Sapphire Secret, a Kingman filly out of Whatami. At Bath, Hunky Dory will shoulder a 5lb penalty in the MJ Church Handicap after his impressive win at Wolverhampton.