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 2014 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SAVELLO Davy Russell Tony Martin (Ire) Gigginstown House Stud 16/1
2 NED BUNTLINE Paul Carberry Noel Meade (Ire) Mr John P McManus 6/1 jt fav
3 CLARET CLOAK Noel Fehily Emma Lavelle Hawksmoor Partnership 6/1 jt fav
4 NEXT SENSATION Richard Johnson Michael Scudamore Mr Mark Blandford 7/1
5 FRENCH OPERA Nico De Boinville Nicky Henderson Mrs Judy Wilson, Martin Landau 33/1
6 EASTLAKE Maurice Linehan Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P McManus 20/1
7 DARE ME Aidan Coleman Venetia Williams Shire Birds 14/1
8 LUCKY LANDING Dougie Costello Tony Coyle Gary Dewhurst, Tony Coyle 66/1
9 TANKS FOR THAT Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson Mrs Christopher Hanbury 12/1
10 ANQUETTA Mr Sam Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson Robert Waley-Cohen 50/1
11 VIVA COLONIA Nick Schofield Brian Ellison Bolingbroke & Mersey Racing 40/1
12 CHANGING THE GUARD Wayne Hutchinson Dr Richard Newland Mr Jim Stewart 25/1
13 DRUMSHAMBO Liam Treadwell Venetia Williams Grouse Partnership 40/1
14 HIS EXCELLENCY Tom Scudamore David Pipe Mr M N Dawson 14/1
15 LANCETTO Conor Ring Evan Williams Mr R J Gambanini 50/1
16 SHOOTERS WOOD Harry Derham Paul Nicholls W A Harrison-Allan 40/1
17 EASTER METEOR Richie O'Dea Emma Lavelle Mr & Mrs S C Willes 25/1
18 OISEAU DE NUIT Brendan Powell Colin Tizzard Mr Terry Warner 28/1
19 RAYA STAR Robert Thornton Alan King Mr Simon Munir 7/1
20 PASSAGE VENDOME David Casey Willie Mullins (Ire) Mr F N Doyle 33/1
21 COMPETITIVE EDGE Mark Walsh Conor O'Dwyer Mr John P McManus 40/1
22 MR MOLE Tony McCoy Paul Nicholls Mr John P McManus 7/1
23 ASTROCAD Sam Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr H R Mould 22/1

Won by 1 1/4 lengths and a neck

 Over round 135%

The 2014 Grand Annual was held on Friday 14th March 2014