'The 13-2 looks very generous indeed' - five Cheltenham clues from the weekend

We surely saw some Cheltenham Festival winners over the weekend and finding flaws in the performances of Shishkin and Allaho isn't easy. They are going to be two of the skimpiest favourites of the week in the Champion Chase and Ryanair respectively and both look bullet-proof at this stage.

Jonbon got the job done in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial at Haydock, although he didn't particularly impress and I prefer his stablemate Constitution Hill for the festival opener. Gerri Colombe is now a single-figure price for the Albert Bartlett after extending his unbeaten record at Thurles, but he didn't do much for me either.

Here are five less obvious Cheltenham clues which emerged from a wonderful weekend of action.

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Fils D'Oudairies

Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in the history of the Coral Cup with four winners since 2010 and Fils D'Oudairies might well have earned himself a place in his 2022 team after an encouraging stable debut at Ascot on Saturday.

The ex-Joseph O'Brien inmate travelled with real zest through the 2m3½f handicap hurdle and, although no match for Unexpected Party when it mattered, you would have to like the way he hit the line and pulled four lengths clear of Garry Clermont in third.

Nicky Henderson: trains Fils D'Oudairies, who is 'one very much one to keep onside'Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com)

There ought to be plenty of improvement to come given his last appearance under rules was at Punchestown in April and he is very much one to keep onside.

Watch Fils D'Oudairies make an encouraging stable debut at Ascot

Tiger Roll

Yes, he beat only two home in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Navan on Saturday, but Tiger Roll showed enough enthusiasm to suggest he could win a fourth Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in March.

Jockey Rob James said Tiger Roll detested the ground, but the way he made up ground leaving the back straight was encouraging. It was inevitable he would tire after the second-last.

It is about one day, and one day only this season for Tiger Roll, and that is March 16. Gordon Elliott knows exactly what he has to do to get him cherry ripe for the occasion and the signs are positive.

Don't forget he brought form figures of 6P6 into last year's festival and bolted up by 18 lengths on the bridle.

Tiger Roll: brought form figures of 6P6 into last year's festival and bolted up by 18 lengths in the cross-country chaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

There is still some 13-2 available with bet365 and that looks very generous indeed.

Watch Tiger Roll show enough enthusiasm to keep alive hopes of a fourth Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase victory

Might I

After facing an impossible task in trying to give weight to Constitution Hill at Sandown in December, Might I bumped into another top-notch Nicky Henderson-trained novice at Haydock on Saturday in Jonbon. He was only third but that doesn't tell the whole story.

Might I didn't travel with his usual zest through the first half of the race and Sean Bowen was surely a lot further back than he would have liked. The way he made up his ground early in the home straight was easy on the eye and he might have been second but for being snatched up on the run-in.

Harry Fry should forget about the Supreme and instead look at either the Ballymore or the Coral Cup for Might I. He's a half-brother to Stattler and Binge Drinker, who are both strong stayers, and his best display of the campaign was when winning a novice hurdle on heavy ground at Newton Abbot over 2m2½f. He could be a more dangerous force when upped in trip.

Watch Might I impress with the way he made up ground in the home straight

Joyeux Machin

He has six lengths to make up on Facile Vega from their Leopardstown clash over Christmas and it is hard to see that form being reversed, but this strapping son of Saddler Maker deserves a crack at the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on the evidence of what we saw at Navan on Saturday.

The gap closed at a crucial stage on Barry O'Neill, just under two furlongs out, and many horses wouldn't have been able to recover from such traffic problems. Joyeux Machin did and has loads of ability.

Paul Nolan: trains Joyeux Machin, who could sneak a place in the Champion Bumper if he shows upCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He shot clear inside the final furlong and won with a bit up his sleeve. It looks a vintage renewal of the Champion Bumper this year with the likes of American Mike, Facile Vega and Redemption Day but Joyeux Machin could sneak a place in it if he shows up.

Watch Joyeux Machin display loads of ability in winning at Navan

Winged Leader

It is hard to make head nor tail of the St James's Place Hunters' Chase, especially after Billaway's lacklustre effort at Thurles on Sunday, but perhaps his conqueror there could be the one to be on in March.

Winged Leader is only eight and could still be improving, something you can't say of Billaway, who has been second at the last two festivals having been sent off favourite.

David Christie's charge raced with loads of enthusiasm and jumped well. He had 12 lengths to spare at the line but it could have been more. Paddy Power cut him to 10-1 (from 20-1) for Cheltenham glory afterwards and that is more than fair.

Watch Winged Leader thrash a Willie Mullins hotpot

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