Fakenham Preview: Todd weighted to strike

Todd looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at Fakenham today (2.05) now partnered by in-form jockey Tom Scudamore for the first time.

The gelding had some useful form over hurdles when trained in Ireland, including when seventh of 16 to Quickpic Vic in a hot 2m maiden hurdle at Leopardstown where he finished just one place and 3 3/4 lengths behind the now 138-rated Rock The World.

The five-year-old went on to open his account over the obstacles when beating Lord Adare by 3/4 of a length at Limerick, and was allotted an opening handicap mark of 122 on the back of that success.

Now in the care of Anabel Murphy, Todd gets into this off a career-low of just 108 and that makes him look dangerously well-treated on his run behind Quickpic Vic.

The booking of Scudamore also catches the eye, as he has not ridden for the yard since having one ride back in 2012 but has a strike rate of just under 16% when teaming up with Murphy since 2000.

That has resulted in a profit of £22.75 to a £1 level stake, and the fact that his services are now required again suggests connections mean business this afternoon.

In the extended 2m 7f handicap hurdle (3.15), Imperial Vic is a fascinating contender now switched back to the smaller obstacles and looks weighted to run a huge race.

The Harriet Bethell trained gelding had some useful form over hurdles in 2012/13 when winning three times, and was rated 129 when finishing third to the very useful Utopie Des Bordes at Perth.

The 10-year-old then had his attentions switched to chasing and after easily winning on debut posted a cracking effort to finish a neck second to Green Flag at Kelso off an official rating of 135.
Imperial Vic has since run well to be placed four times, including off a rating of 137, and now reverts back to hurdles off a mark of just 114.

That is a career-low, and the son of Old Vic also has the services of Jonathan England in the saddle whose claim takes another 3lb off his back.

It makes the front running Imperial Vic look very handily weighted on the pick of his form, and in what doesn’t look the strongest of class 4 contests he could prove hard to catch if allowed an easy lead on a sharp track which should suit his run-style.