Grand Annual

 The Grand Annual Chase is the oldest race at the Festival having first been staged on 4th April 1834 over 4 miles of open country at Andoversford, near Cheltenham. Although that race was discontinued in the 1860s, it was revived in the early 1900s, although it was staged at various courses, notably Warwick, Melton Mowbray and Leicester. It was only in 1913 that it returned permanently to Cheltenham and has been a significant part of the Festival ever since. It is run over 1 mile 7 furlongs and 199 yards and 14 fences and is now classed as a Premier Handicap. In 2005 its name was updated to the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase in recognition of the part played by Johnny Henderson, father of legendary trainer Nicky Henderson, in forming the Racecourse Holdings Trust which secured the future of Cheltenham by purchasing the Prestbury Park venue for £240,000.
Early history:- The inaugural running of Grand Annual Chase took place on April 4 1834 at Andoversford, in the vicinity of Cheltenham when won by Fugleman owned by Mr R D’Oyley beating Conrad owned by Colonel Gilbert.
Grand Annual 1881 Premier Handicap 4 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 VICTOR II G S Lowe 12 stone 2lbs Mr E Wills 5/2
2 ALSTONE George Holman 11 stone 6lbs Mr H Mill 2/1
3 GUNLOCK John Holman 11 stone 10lbs Mr P Aaron 11/8 fav

Won by3 lengths, only 2 finished

 Over round 103%

The 1881 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 16th March 1881, and as Prestbury Park was sold to Mr W A Baring Bingham and was required for other purposes, the old course at Southam was used.