William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Stakes (Div II)

16:10 Catterick Sat 17 Oct 2026 7f6y Class 4 Good to Soft 9 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Forest Caper

SPECULATIVE Advised 11/2 Est. 19%

9TH

Mr Fox says

Forest Caper (SR:80, 11/2, 9-6) is the O'Meara yard's #1 runner — Kevin Stott's booking over Mark Winn confirms this, and the horse has been heavily backed in (Mkt:in26%), the only meaningful steamer in the race. The weight of 9-6 gives it a real lbs edge over joint-top SRs Classy Clarets (9-11) and Indefensible (9-4 with a 35% drift), and DistFit:+ confirms it has a proven record at 7f. Stepping up one class (ClassMv:↑1) and running off a mark 4lb above its last win is a minor negative, but the strong market move and connections signal override that concern. The GoingFit:? is the key uncertainty, but the same query applies to several rivals. Each-way alternative: Vince Le Prince. Main danger: Vince Le Prince — Vince Le Prince (SR:83, 10/3) is the top-rated horse, carries the lightest weight (8-13), has an outstanding course record (Course:W4P12), and has also been backed in (Mkt:in9%) — the GoingFit:- is the only specific red flag keeping it from the top spot.

Verify· #23948

Full result

Winner: It Just Takes Time (IRE) at SP 4/1. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

1 It Just Takes Time Mark Walford · Jack Garritty 9/2
2 Vince Le Prince Fox #2 Tim Easterby · David Allan 10/3
3 Classy Clarets Fox #3 Iain Jardine · Jack Nicholls(3) 15/2
4 Tattie Bogle Charlie Johnston · Jason Hart 13/2
5 Midnight Strike Jennie Candlish · Darragh Keenan 14/1
6 Indefensible Fox #4 Ollie Pears · Harry Russell 8/1
7 Fiscal Policy Ruth Carr · William Pyle 8/1
8 We Dare To Dream David O'Meara · Mark Winn 18/1
9 Forest Caper Fox #1 David O'Meara · Kevin Stott 11/2

Top 4 — how each finished

1 Forest Caper 11/2 9TH
2 Vince Le Prince 10/3 🥈 2ND
3 Classy Clarets 6/1 🥉 3RD
4 Indefensible 6/1 6TH