This Weekend on Sky Sports Racing: Newbury's Spring Trials Get Underway

The highly anticipated Spring Trials weekend at Newbury commences today, with Shabab Al Ahli set to face off against Sahara King in the day's featured race, the Darley EBF Novice Stakes. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Shabab Al Ahli comes into this event on the back of an impressive win at Southwell in February, earning a 33-1 quote for the esteemed Derby. The colt will be looking to assert his dominance over this field as he takes a step down in distance, with potential long-term ambitions including a tilt at the Epsom Classic. Appleby's yard has a notable record in this race, having secured the inaugural running in 2023 with Military Order, who later went off as short as 9-2 for the Derby that year. Sahara King, meanwhile, has shown promise with a debut win at Wolverhampton in November, a form that has been somewhat validated by the subsequent success of Mohaaraj, who finished fourth that day. Another notable runner making his second appearance after a winning debut is My Love Is King, trained by Gosden and currently holding a Derby entry at 40-1, following a comfortable victory at Newcastle. The classy Gilded Prize is also in action today, participating in the Henri Matisse Coolmore Prix Cleopatre as a precursor to a potential outing at Chantilly for the Prix de Diane. This Frankel daughter has made a striking impression in her fledgling career, marked by a straightforward win on her debut and an eye-catching display under Colin Keane on her reappearance. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who enjoyed a remarkable season last year, may have uncovered another gem. The Newbury card also features the Greenham Stakes, where Zavateri and Albert Einstein are set to clash. Other racing highlights include recent successes such as Oxagon in the Craven Stakes and Azleet in the Nell Gwyn Stakes, which have significant implications for upcoming major races. The owners' European Racing Manager, Barry Mahon, has expressed considerable excitement about Gilded Prize, indicating that a strong performance today could solidify plans to head to Chantilly over considering the Epsom Oaks at this stage. Turbulente and Arkansas pose threats, with the latter having won in Listed company last time out. The 2.32pm Bridget 'Confined' Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newbury boasts an array of exciting pedigrees, including Synchronicity, a full-sister to the accomplished Ombudsman, and Sapphire Secret, a Kingman filly and half-sister to Sir Delius, winner of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Seet, trained by Gosden, flies the flag for Shadwell as a half-sister to the reigning champion filly Kalpana. William Haggas, with a strong record in this race, enters Song Of The Clouds, related to Group 3 winner Mighty Ulysses. Debutante Take A View, a full sister to Time Lock, faces a competitive field in the Dreweatts Maiden Fillies' Stakes, while at Bath, Hunky Dory must overcome a 5lb penalty in the MJ Church Handicap, his first outing over the minimum distance of five furlongs.