The Punt Acca: Lee Sharp's three racing tips at Pontefract and Punchestown on Wednesday

On The River (4.05 Pontefract) 

Finished second on his reappearance, running a good race but unable to reel in the winner, who stole a couple of lengths from the front. He continues to improve year on year, and his recent effort suggested there’s more to come this season. He heads to Pontefract, a track he has won twice at in seven starts.

Bambino Fever (4.50 Punchestown)

Bambino Fever has proven herself to be the leading bumper horse of the season, winning at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham Festival. She has already beaten most of the rivals she faces and the main danger looks to be Colcannon. However, Bambino Fever has been more impressive, and her winning time at the DRF was significantly better than Colcannon's. Rivals will need substantial improvement to have any chance of beating her.

Spillane's Tower (5.30 Punchestown) 

Galopin Des Champs is likely to go off favourite for this race, but he's failed to win it on both previous attempts, and it's hard to see why it would be third time lucky given he arrives here having failed to retain his Gold Cup crown. The ideal contender to oppose him with is Spillane's Tower, who comes into the race fresh, having not run since the King George. He was a revelation last year, securing two Grade 1 victories as a novice, and while there’s no question Galopin Des Champs is the better horse, we've seen him run up to 15lb below his best in this race before. 

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