14:40 Bellewstown

Saturday 18 April 2026

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 9.60s

Jazz Forever²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: P W Flynn| OR: 108

20/1

Lightly-raced maiden over hurdles, who was readily brushed aside in a novice at Down Royal in January and went with very little encouragement tackling 2m on the Flat last month. Jack Kennedy being booked is a notable positive, but improvement still clearly needed returned to this sphere.

Form: 9656-4

Laxxio⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Cian Quirke| T: A Mullins| OR: 107

18/1

Although a 3-time Flat winner in Germany, she has not yet reproduced that level over hurdles despite being placed twice in similar races at Punchestown in January. Disappointing when tried over further in a handicap hurdle last time and must now bounce back.

Form: F43P

Maxwell Smart¹²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 105

33/1

Produced his best effort over hurdles when third of 15 Jony R in maiden at Down Royal in November. He has not matched it in 2 subsequent starts, including when unseating around halfway on his handicap debut last time, but he is a player if able to return to that previous level.

Form: 0-34U

Following Orders²¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tiernan Power Roche| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 104

11/1

Career-best effort when second in a big-field Roscommon novice in August, but below that level in two runs since, including when well held at Downpatrick last time. Returns from 7 months off.

Form: 36-4225

Glenrush Bay^h¹⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 109

9/2

Has improved with each run over hurdles, though took form up several notches when 5½ lengths fourth of 7 to Tatateo in novice at Cork 105 days ago. Another step forward would see her very much in the mix.

Form: 80624

Grandy Lane^t⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 109

5/1

Runner-up in a Sligo maiden hurdle for Ian Patrick Donoghue and also second in a bumper at Clonmel on his first 2 starts, but his progress has since stalled over what looks an inadequate 2m. The market may prove the best guide.

Form: 8-22686

Jury Foreman¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 101

9/1

Made the frame twice in maidens before struggling in a handicap at Leopardstown last time. Back down in trip and has plenty to find.

Form: 6440

Speedy Box²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ricky Doyle| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 110

25/1

Has failed to complete on 2 of his 4 starts in maiden hurdles, yet shown a fair amount of encouragement all the same. Failed to make an impact on chasing debut last month, but there should be more to come from him in this sphere if his jumping stands the test.

Form: 34F-5F7

Sticktothescript^b1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| OR: 107| BF

6/1

Ran to a fair level when 7½ lengths fourth of 14 to Shabby Hill in maiden hurdle at Punchestown in January at Punchestown in January. Below that level when filling the same position in similar events at Naas and Navan both outings since. Blinkers on for first time back down in trip.

Form: 2-8444

Tippawan Haa²³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: John Shinnick| T: T O'Brien| OR: 107

18/1

Showed improved form when 2 lengths second of 14 to William Tell in conditional jockeys race at Cork in August, but broke a blood vessel when failing to back that up at Ballinrobe next time. Returns from 7-month absence.

Form: 6524

Zuzukel^h,t⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel King| T: A J Martin| OR: 106

12/1

Remains a maiden after 8 starts over hurdles but sets a clear standard on his short-head second of 8 to Powerful in handicap at Punchestown in November. Was running below that level when falling at Down Royal last time, but this represents a good opportunity to get back on track.

Form: 088-82F

Daisy Fingall¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead

16/1

Left previous hurdling efforts well behind when 2 lengths second of 12 to Royal Belief in maiden at Limerick last month. She's open to further progress.

Form: 6-02

Two Pair¹¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Flanagan| T: P Nolan| OR: 107

15/2

Made an encouraging return from 7 months off when runner-up to the fairly useful Carry On Heidi on his hurdling debut, but has not built on that effort in 2 subsequent starts. Drops back to 2m over hurdles for the first time, and the yard is in excellent form at present.

Form: 64-255

Jr Mahon^p¹⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Caragh Monaghan⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Donoghue

28/1

Fair maiden on the Flat but has yet to match that effort in a handful of starts in juvenile hurdles and is probably one for handicaps later on. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 7F57

Kasper Hauser⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Calum Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: Kevin Coleman| OR: 106

8/1

Remains a maiden after 8 hurdle runs and not really kicked on since hitting the frame on his first 3 outings. Reverts to maiden company after failing to make a significant impact in handicaps the last twice.

Form: 465P85

Double Power^p,t⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P J O'Hanlon| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 102

50/1

No better than mid-field in a trio of maiden hurdles and looks like one to do better in handicaps. RESERVE.

Form: P5P660

Non-Runners

Microscope²⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: Peter Buchanan J: Michael Kenneally

Liceo¹⁶²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: D A McLoughlin J: Reserve 2

Chanceawetmorning⁴³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Glenrush Bay (9/2), Grandy Lane (5/1), Sticktothescript (6/1), Two Pair (15/2), Chanceawetmorning (15/2), Kasper Hauser (8/1), Jury Foreman (9/1), Following Orders (11/1), Zuzukel (12/1), Liceo (12/1), Daisy Fingall (16/1), Laxxio (18/1), Tippawan Haa (18/1), Jazz Forever (20/1), Speedy Box (25/1), Jr Mahon (28/1), Maxwell Smart (33/1), Double Power (50/1), Microscope (50/1)

ZUZUKEL holds strong claims on his penultimate second at Punchestown and can be expected to make a bold bid to break his maiden. Daisy Fingall and Glenrush Bay rate the chief dangers if he does not deliver.