The highly anticipated Spring Trials weekend commences at Newbury, with Shabab Al Ahli facing off against Sahara King in the day's featured event, the Darley EBF Novice Stakes. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Shabab Al Ahli is seeking to build on his impressive win at Southwell under Conor Planas, which earned him a 33-1 quote for the Derby. This Frankel colt will be stepping down in distance and is poised to make a strong statement in his bid for the Epsom Classic.
Appleby has a notable record in this race, having won the inaugural running in 2023 with Military Order. Sahara King, meanwhile, has shown promise with a debut win at Wolverhampton in November, with the form of that race gaining substance thanks to the subsequent success of Mohaaraj, who finished fourth. Another notable entrant is My Love Is King, trained by Gosden, who holds a Derby entry and is currently priced at 40-1 following a comfortable victory at Newcastle in November. The classy Gilded Prize is also in action, aiming to secure top honors in the Henri Matisse Coolmore Prix Cleopatre en route to the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.
This Frankel daughter has made a striking impression in the early stages of her career, winning both her starts to date, including a recent eye-catching performance under Colin Keane. Her trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, enjoyed a remarkable season last year and may have unearthed another gem. Other racing highlights include the Greenham Stakes, where Zavateri and Albert Einstein are set to clash, and the Bridget 'Confined' Maiden Fillies' Stakes, featuring an array of exciting pedigrees, including Synchronicity, a full-sister to the accomplished Ombudsman, and Sapphire Secret, a Kingman filly out of Whatami. The Harry Charlton yard presents Sapphire Secret, while Shadwell is represented by the Gosden-trained Seet, a half-sister to the reigning champion filly Kalpana.
William Haggas, who has won three of the last five renewals of this race, enters Song Of The Clouds, a daughter of Night Of Thunder related to Group 3 winner Mighty Ulysses. At Bath, Hunky Dory, trained by Jack Morland, faces a 5lb penalty in the MJ Church Handicap after a dominant win at Wolverhampton, tackling the minimum distance for the first time.