Charlie Appleby sent his Southwell winner Shabab Al Ahli to contest the Darley EBF Novice Stakes at Newbury today, opening the Spring Trials weekend. The Frankel colt, guided by Conor Planas in February, earned a 33-1 Derby price and steps down a furlong, aiming to prove his class before a potential Epsom Classic bid. Appleby previously claimed the race’s inaugural running with Military Order in 2023.

Among the nine rivals, Sahara King returns after a debut win at Wolverhampton, while Gosden’s My Love Is King repeats a November Newcastle victory and carries a Derby entry at 40‑1. French‑trained Gilded Prize targets the Henri Matisse Coolmore Prix Cléopâtre, a Group 3 stepping stone toward the Prix de Diane, after two impressive outings in Juddmonte colours.

Newbury’s 2.32pm Bridget ‘Confined’ Maiden Fillies’ Stakes showcases pedigree power, headlined by Synchronicity, full‑sister to Ombudsman, the recent Dubai Turf victor. Godolphin’s Sapphire Secret, a Kingman filly, joins half‑sister Seet from Shadwell, while William Haggas fields Song Of The Clouds, a Night Of Thunder daughter linked to Group 3 winner Mighty Ulysses. The day offers early clues to next season’s elite fillies.