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 2002 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FADOUDAL DU COCHET David Casey Arthur Moore Sir Anthony O'Reilly 6/1
2 EXIT SWINGER Tony McCoy Martin Pipe Sandicroft Stud 4/1 fav
3 DARK'N SHARP Richard Johnson Richard Phillips Ascot Five Plus One 13/2
4 LOGICIAN Barry Keniry Ian Balding Mr Robert Roulston 20/1
5 WAVE ROCK Mick Fitzgerald Philip Hobbs Sterling Racing 12/1
6 KILLULTAGH STORM Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins Mrs Rose Boyd 12/1
7 RED ARK Richard Guest N B Mason Mrs N B Mason 16/1
8 BATSWING Norman Williamson Brian Ellison Mr Ashley Carr 10/1
9 ESKLEYBROOK Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr V Y Gethin 8/1
10 CHICUELO David Dennis Ian Williams Miss M Filby, Neal, Bonnington 40/1
11 BARNBURGH BOY B J Crowley Venetia Williams Mrs H Spencer 40/1
12 TIME OF FLIGHT Paddy Aspell Mrs M Reveley Andy Peake, David Jackson 33/1
13 TAKING Josh Byrne Christopher Kellett Mr Sean A Taylor 150/1
14 SEEK THE FAITH Tom Doyle John O'Shea Mr R H F Matthews 100/1
15 FRANCIS BAY Dean Gallagher Dermot Weld (Ire) Mr M Magowan 14/1
16 DAMUS R Wakley Ian Williams The Winning Line 16/1
17 HOT SHOTS Jim Culloty Mark Pitman Robin & Mrs Jill Eynon 14/1
18 ASADOR Timmy Murphy Paul Nicholls Mr Darren C Mercer 10/1

Won by 3/4 length and 3 lengths

 Over round 132%

The 2002 Grand Annual was held on Thursday 14th March 2002