Friday Racing Tips: Bothy and King Massini the two horses to back at Cheltenham

I don't tend to laugh a lot but, as a fellow tea tree shower gel user, Frankie Boyle did make me chuckle when I stumbled upon the equally miserable-cum-cynical Scot while channel-hopping on Wednesday night.
 
Because on his first - and apparently very thorough - use of the "tingling gel made from real mint leaves," he reported that that his "arse burst into song."
 
Regular tea tree users know exactly where he is coming from...
 
Sad to report no such cathartic or moments of total clarity when looking at Friday's Cheltenham card, as it looks a tricky little blighter. Especially with 12mm of rain forecast that could turn the good ground testing if it duly arrives.
 
But I have eked out a couple of small-stakes plays, starting with Bothy in the 13:40, at odds of 11.010/1 or better. 
 
He is certainly a horse who wouldn't mind any rain - a lot of it, in fact - but it was good ground when he finished second in the Coral Cup here three years ago, so it isn't essential.
 
He has dropped 9lb as a result of three poor runs this season, and I think he could be poised to return to form with talented 7lb claimer Sean Bowen up, a tongue-tie on, dropped back in trip after running over 2m4f at Bangor last time and at a track at which he has run some of his best races.
 
A lack of pace could be an issue but hopefully the likes of Vintage Vinnie and Street Entertainer will go on and give him a target to aim at.
 
I was very tempted to row in with Bowen again and put up Pigeon Island in the staying handicap chase at 14:10, but he is 6lb out of the handicap, and he probably wouldn't welcome any rain, so I will keep my powder dry.
 
I am pretty keen on King Massini in the staying handicap hurdle at 15:15, though. And the more I looked, the keener I got.
 
He is better known as a chaser, and in fact won a handicap chase on this card last year off a mark of 114 before winning at Ludlow next time up and being raised to 131.
 
He is still rated 130 over fences and didn't run at all badly over an inadequate trip when in midfield in the Paddy Power last time - he stuck on pretty well after the last - so he has to be of interest off a hurdles mark of just 119 and back up to 3m. 
 
He probably rates the bet of the day at odds of 11.010/1 or better.
 
I don't have a betting opinion in the Cross Country races at 14:40. I think Any Currency is very solid but the handicapper has hardly missed him off 140 here, so I will happily pass.
 
In the RUK races, I would want to be with Sausalito Sunrise in the opener at 12:30.
 
Kings Palace was very impressive in beating that horse by 4 lengths here last month but I was equally taken by the grinding effort of the runner-up who was giving him 5lb, so actually came out the better horse at the weights.
 
There is an 8lb turnaround today, and I think there is a strong argument that Philip Hobbs' 6yo should near enough favourite here and I will be betting accordingly if that isn't the case once the market stabilises. 
 
In the other non-C4 races I also like Hobbs' Al Alfa in the 13:05, though I don't have any real strong view in the concluding novices' hurdle.
 
There will be stronger views in tomorrow's column. I will have a shower just after declaration time to liven up the old tipping buds...
 
Recommended Bets 
 
Back Bothy at odds of 11.010/1 or better in the 13:40 at Cheltenham
Back King Massini at odds of 11.010/1 or better in the 15:15 at Cheltenham