WE ARE officially less than seven weeks away from the Cheltenham Festival and attempting to find overpriced horses can be tricky at this stage.

But don't let that put you off – there is still plenty of untapped value to be found.

Many of the graded affairs have short priced favourites so the temptation to go in the handicaps to find that added bit of value can be appealing, although today I’m looking at two previous Cheltenham Festival winners who I think can provide punters with some much needed funds on the Wednesday afternoon at Prestbury Park.

The first of which comes in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase, and while the price might be skinny, a winner is a winner, right?

This Willie Mullins-trained monster won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle last year, cruising up vertically on the bridle until the last 100 yards where he was pushed out impressively to win carrying a decent weight.

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He then followed up the success at the Punchestown Festival over three miles in Grade One company, beating some really smart horses in the process.

Of course the horse I’m talking about is the mighty GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, and although he is my shortest price ante post tip at 13-8 with Paddy Power, I’m more than confident he will take the Don Poli route and rock up to the formerly named RSA Chase at Cheltenham and hack round on the bridle.

He’s scheduled to run at the Dublin Racing Festival next weekend over 2m5f where he’ll be a short priced favourite after his foot perfect debut at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

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When he (almost) inevitably wins the Ladbrokes Novice Chase next weekend I expect him to be odds-on for Cheltenham so want to add him to my portfolio now.

My second bet on Wednesday comes in the Cross Country, a race I usually avoid as it can sometimes descend into utter chaos over the banks… but this time I think the answer is pretty straight forward.

In terms of quality, the race certainly lacks any of it, with the market leader currently priced up on the fact JP McManus recently purchased Prengrade for cross country exploits.

But the form of the French raider is difficult to translate.

Previous winner Easysland looks to have had some troubles this year too.

We’re yet to see him in action this season and it looks like a race against time to get him fit for Cheltenham with new trainer Jonjo O’Neill (another negative in my opinion).

The further down the list you look there are a number of uncertain runners, including Ajas, Farclas and even the dual Cheltenham winner Samcro.

But it’s another Gigginstown & multiple Cheltenham Festival winner I’m backing here, and that is the one and only TIGER ROLL.

The tiger was 13-2 but has tightened into 5-1 after his pipe opener over hurdles this weekend at Navan, where all in all I was pretty pleased with what I saw, as was his trainer Gordon Elliott.

He jumped and travelled well under top weight and came home sound so the plan is to go back to Cheltenham in search of his fourth Cross Country title.

He’s rated well above the majority of the horses likely to turn up here, and off level weights can repeat his performance of 12 months ago, even at the ripe age of 12.

I reckon this race has been his target all season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Elliott get him ready for the big day in perfect condition, win in stylish fashion and then retire on a high.

Our mates at Paddy Power have boosted my banker double from 14-1 to 18-1 – just click that link to back it.

TODAY'S SELECTIONS (correct at the time of writing)

Tiger Roll in the Cross Country 5/1

Galopin Des Champs in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase 13/8

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PREVIOUSLY ADVISED BETS

33/1 BRITZKA Each Way with bet365 (4 places) for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

12/1 CAPODANNO with William Hill for the National Hunt Chase

20/1 SAINT SAM Each Way for the Turners Novices Chase

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