Three Value Plays at Cheltenham on Sunday

A compelling race, in which seven of the eight runners hold sporting claims. 

Be that as it may, this is still all about . The impressive-looking six-year-old excelled over hurdles last season and has the constitution to become a serious talent over fences. 

But a 214-day absence and the lack of a public spin in a novice chase are surely red flags for those wishing to take his skimpy odds. 

Enter stage right Bob Bob Ricard, who won two small races in the summer before unsuccessfully reverting to hurdling. 

Jonjo O’Neill’s inmate was then sent back over the big ones over course and distance last month, but it all unravelled quite spectacularly – through no fault of his own. 

Bob Bob Ricard was travelling pleasingly enough but he was knocked off his stride when  Lord Of Thunder fell two out and could never recover. 

The Jackdaws Castle resident returns to Cheltenham off a 1lb lower mark and once again competes on good ground, which is very much his bag. 

For those prepared to take on the jolly, he rates a value call. 

A big week for Fergal O’Brien could still finish with a big Cheltenham winner – but it might not be with “the best-handicapped horse in Britain and Ireland”. 

With Dysart Enos’ Greatwood price having long disappeared over Cleeve Hill and en route to somewhere near Tewkesbury, it might be beneficial to give his stablemate some love 35 minutes earlier. 

Manofthepeople looked a touch recalcitrant over just shy of three miles at Chepstow last month, but he clearly was only just hitting his straps when the line came. 

That should have nicely opened up the pipes, with this race surely the plan since then. 

The nine-year-old stayer is pretty exposed compared to some in the field, but his power-packed victory here in April – Paddy Brennan’s final winner before retirement –  reminded us that he is a serious operator on a going day. 

Manofthepeople returns to Prestbury Park 7lb higher but that is far from an unconquerable burden, while conditions look made to measure. 

He is solid each-way shout in an open race. 

There are, admittedly, as many questions as there are definitive answers about the mare’s chances of bringing home a Seven Barrows/JP McManus Greatwood double. 

Having to shoulder top weight at a track like Cheltenham is obviously far from ideal. 

As was her last run in August, when she was sent over to Galway but folded like a deckchair left out in a hurricane. 

Those imponderables are reflected by her price, which remains surprisingly chunky given that the positives arguably outweigh the negatives. 

She has not been allotted 12st for a giggle, more that the handicapper considers to be the best horse in the race. 

Those in attendance at Sandown in April 2023, when she impressively defeated last season’s Greatwood winner Iberico Lord, would not disagree. 

Like Iberico Lord and the 2022 Greatwood scorer I Like To Move It, she is a five-year-old. 

And like that duo, she has that all-important course-winning form on good ground. 

In what could be a rough race given the perceived lack of pace, Under Control offers punters the rare opportunity of backing a big-race Henderson runner at a double-figure price.