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 1951 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MERRY COURT T Molony T H Yates Mr Molony 10/1
2 SHINING GOLD A P Thompson Neville Crump 11/4 fav
3 NORBORNE E Reavey Champneys 10/1
4 FRERE JEAN Bryan Marshall J Dennistoun 8/1
5 ORDNANCE Bullock T F Rimell 10/1
6 GENERAL FACTOTUM Bob Turnell I Anthony 10/1
7 CHAIN LINK R Hamey J Hamey 25/1
8 HIGHWAYMAN G Kelly J F Norris 15/2
9 RHETORIUS A Grantham Peter Cazalet 13/2
10 STEEL COURAGE M Molony T F Rimell 13/2
11 ALLENS BRIDGE S Barnes Gerry Wilson 25/1

Won by 2 lengths and 3 lengths

 Over round 120%

The 1951 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 25th April 1951 after frost in March caused the Festivalto be abandoned