The Punt Acca: Richard Russell's three horse racing tips at Newcastle and Kempton on Wednesday

Humble Spark (1.33 Newcastle) 

Jim Goldie’s five-year-old did exceptionally well to win at this track 11 days ago and can go back-to-back. Slowly away in a race run at a crawl, he was stuck in rear and saw little daylight throughout the last two furlongs before quickening up smartly, for one with his ability, to come through late and score cosily. A 2lb nudge looks more than fair and he should handle this return to 1m4f.

Wyvern (4.03 Newcastle)

The son of Bated Breath was another to suffer an interrupted passage, in a steadily run race, at this track towards the end of last year, albeit this time his finishing effort only gaining the runner-up spot. He looked a tad unlucky and can gain compensation, this drop back to 7f likely no bother in what promises to be a strongly run affair.

Francesco Baracca (8.00 Kempton)

Eve Johnson Houghton’s four-year-old is unexposed at 2m, his first go at the trip resulting in a joint-career best when second at this track in October, and that was followed by an even better effort when a good fifth in a competitive series final in the middle of last month. He was 9lb out of the handicap that day so, back off his correct mark, makes a fair bit of appeal on this drop in grade. 

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