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 1954 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HIPPARCHUS Jack Dowdeswell Rice-Stringer Mrs H J Rice-Stringer 100/8
2 ROSE'S QUARTER Pat Taaffe Ireland Mr George Ashley 9/2
3 CANNON BALL J Straker Berwicke Mr J J Straker 100/8
4 LITTLE YID G Slack Bobby Renton Mrs E Truelove 8/1
5 LIMB OF THE LAW B O'Neill T H Yates Mr E Bee 7/1
6 RAND MINES C Straker I Straker Mr Ivan Straker 15/2
7 MARCIANUS T Molony Beeby Lord Bicester 3/1 fav
8 COLIN BELL E McKenzie Ireland 20/1
9 HIGH LEVEL K Mullins T F Rimell 20/1
10 COOLROCK R Emery Fulke Walwyn 8/1
11 SEA NET D Maundrell G Lister 100/7

Won by 3 lengths and 3 lengths

 Over round 122%

The 1954 Grand Annual was held on Thursday 4th March 1954