This Weekend on Sky Sports Racing: Newbury Hosts Spring Trials

The highly anticipated Spring Trials weekend gets underway at Newbury, with Shabab Al Ahli facing off against Sahara King in the day's feature race, the Darley EBF Novice Stakes. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Shabab Al Ahli, a Frankel colt, is looking to build on his impressive win at Southwell in February, where he earned a quote of 33-1 for the Derby. He will be stepping down in distance and aiming to assert his dominance in the field, potentially paving the way for a future bid at the Epsom Classic. Appleby has a good record in this race, having won the inaugural running in 2023 with Military Order. Sahara King, on the other hand, has shown promise with a debut win at Wolverhampton in November, and his form has been boosted by the subsequent success of Mohaaraj, who finished fourth in that race. Another notable runner is My Love Is King, trained by Gosden, who won comfortably on his debut at Newcastle and holds a Derby entry. The classy Gilded Prize is also in action, competing in the Henri Matisse Coolmore Prix Cleopatre, with her sights set on the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. This Frankel filly has made a significant impression in her short career, winning both her starts, including a recent success under Colin Keane. Her trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, had a remarkable season last year and may have uncovered another gem. Other exciting races include the Greenham Stakes, where Zavateri and Albert Einstein clash, and the Bridget 'Confined' Maiden Fillies' Stakes, featuring a field with impressive pedigrees, including Synchronicity, a full-sister to Ombudsman, and Sapphire Secret, a Kingman filly owned by Juddmonte. The Harry Charlton yard is represented by Sapphire Secret, while Flying the flag for Shadwell is the Gosden-trained Seet, a half-sister to the reigning champion filly Kalpana. William Haggas, who has a strong record in this race, sends out Song Of The Clouds, related to Group 3 winner Mighty Ulysses. Time Lock's full sister, Take A View, makes her debut in the Dreweatts Maiden Fillies' Stakes, facing a field of other promising types. At Bath, Hunky Dory, trained by Jack Morland, must overcome a 5lb penalty in the MJ Church Handicap after an impressive win at Wolverhampton.