The interesting part is what happened this week. After his last race nine days ago, when he finished ninth, Maxwell Smart returned to Bellewstown and won on 1 October 2026 — his second career victory. That kind of turnaround, from well beaten to winning, shows he can find his level on the right day. His first win came at Down Royal on 5 September 2025, also outside the very top tier of racecourses, suggesting he performs best away from the biggest prizes. Over his preferred distances of 1 mile 6 furlongs to 2 miles, he has won 2 of 24 races — an 8% win rate, better than his overall figures but still modest. He clearly prefers longer trips, where patience and stamina matter more than outright speed.
Trainer T G McCourt's yard at Stamullen, in County Meath, has been running well this season with 13 winners so far, so Maxwell Smart is part of a stable in good form. His regular rider is James Ryan, though they have won together just once from nine races — an 11% win rate that suggests the partnership works sometimes but is not a natural match. For a horse like this, that is probably fine. Maxwell Smart is the kind of racer who plugs along, places regularly, and reminds you why he keeps getting entries. He is not destined for the top, but he is not finished either.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navan Galloping |
10 | 1 second, 1 third, 8 other | 27 Aug | 0% |
| Bellewstown Sharp |
8 | 1 win, 3 seconds, 4 other | 1 Oct | 12.5% |
| Down Royal Galloping |
5 | 1 win, 1 third, 3 other | 4 Sep | 20% |
| Dundalk Galloping |
5 | 5 other | 6 Dec | 0% |
| Sligo Sharp |
3 | 2 thirds, 1 other | 5 Aug | 0% |
| Leopardstown Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 15 May | 0% |
| Naas Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 26 Jan | 0% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 2 Sep | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 8 May | 0% |
| Thurles Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 27 Nov | 0% |
| Downpatrick Undulating |
1 | 1 third | 14 Jun | 0% |