Wolverhampton stages a six-race all-weather Flat card on Monday, with Newsboy's nap, Wave Rock, fancied to win the 7.30 handicap. The Johnny Butler-trained filly, ridden by Oisín Murphy, seeks to build on her course-and-distance success in February and a promising second last time out.
Wave Rock, a daughter of Fascinating Rock, recorded her first career win over course and distance in mid-February. She failed to replicate that form over a mile and a quarter at Newcastle next time but bounced back over an additional two furlongs at Dunstall Park, finishing a two-length second to Beaune. That effort is considered worthy of marking up, as she and 7lb claimer Donagh Murphy came from the back to split rivals who were ridden more prominently. Coming back in distance today should not hinder her chances.
Murphy takes the reins for the first time, and from an unchanged mark, Wave Rock—who carries the colours of the late Walter Swinburn's mother, Doreen—is primed to go well in the Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week Handicap.
At Southwell, Huckleberry Sting is tipped to follow up an impressive debut over fences at Bangor-on-Dee last month by beating six opponents in the Dog Friendly Raceday Tues 2nd June Handicap Chase (2.42). The Tom Ellis-trained seven-year-old travelled strongly en route to a five-length beating of Peckforton Hills, and a 10lb rise in the weights may not be enough to stop Jack Andrews' partner from winning again.
