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 1982 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 RELDIS Paul Barton David Gandolfo Haunch Lane Stores 9/1
2 CASBAH Hywel Davies Tim Forster Lord Leverhulme 33/1
3 JO COLUMBO R F Davies W Jenks Mr B O'Brien 10/1
4 ONAPROMISE Chris Grant Denys Smith Mr T Macdonald 33/1
5 GAMBLING PRINCE Peter Scudamore Mrs G Jones Mrs G Jones 7/1
6 ULMAR Vince McKevitt Nick Gaselee Mrs D Fletcher 25/1
7 FRIENDLY ALLIANCE John Francome Fred Winter Mr J Mulhern 11/4 fav
8 LITTLE BAY Ron Barry Gordon Ruchards Mrs S Catherwood 9/2
9 BEACON LIGHT Andy Turnell Bob Turnell Mr H J Joel 15/2
10 MARSHAL NIGHT Richard Rowe Josh Gifford Mr G Hubbard 11/1
11 STOPPED Ben De Haan Fred Winter Mr T Ludlow 16/1
12 REGENTS GARDEN Paul Richards A Andrews Mr M Dennehy 20/1
13 WASHINGTON HEIGHTS Kevin Mooney Fulke Walwyn Mrs J Monson 20/1
14 QUEEN OF THE BOGS A Webber P Bailey Mr C Henty 33/1
15 CURRENT CHANCE Charlie Mann F Smith Mrs F Smith 50/1
16 ISLAND MIST Malcolm Bastard S Cole Mrs C Welch 50/1

Won by 4 lengths and 3 lengths

 Over round 129%

The 1982 Grand Annual was held on Tuesday 16th March 1982