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 1914 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MEADOWSWEET II M Tighe Craven Mr Stokes 100/8
2 TENBURY Alf Aylin   Mr C Bower Ismay 7/2 fav
3 MASK OFF W Walker   Mr P Roberts 8/1
4 LB I Brabazon   Mr H Whitworth 100/7
5 ROYAL CANAL J Mahony   Sir G Bullough 100/7
6 BALLINEARROONA J Anthony   Mr Ivan Straker 8/1
7 BEN A BEG A Newey   Sir P Walker 7/1
8 CORNONGROSS H Harrison   Mr G V Deakin 100/8
9 THE LAST Harry Ussher   Mr B W Parr 4/1
10 BLOCKADE RUNNER Ivor Anthony   Sir W Nelson 7/1
11 RHINE-NA-SHARK A Smith   Lady E Gordon 10/1
12 BEDFELLOW F Dainty   Mr H Leatham 100/8
13 ANDY WHITE Tommy Burns   Mr F Bibby 100/7

Won by 2 lengths and 1 length

 Over round 148%

The 1914 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 11th March 1914 on Prestbury Park just before the outbreak of War.