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 1930 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FLUKE J Leneham Martin Mr H F Clayton 100/30 fav
2 ROYAL SCOT R Lyall Foljambe Colonel Foljambe 11/2
3 WIND SWEPT A Waudby Bazley Mr A Charlesworth 100/12
4 GLANMORE W Stott F Hartigan Captain T McDougal 100/8
5 MOUNTAIN SLIP F Brookes Kelly Mr Parker 100/8
6 EASY VIRTUE J Moloney H A Brown Mr Tyser 10/1
7 SAUNTER G Wilson Ringwood Mr C Ringwood 20/1
8 AMPULLA T Leader T Leader Sir L Green 5/1
9 SPRING BLOSSOM P Powell Davey John Johnstone 100/8
10 RING STEALER E Foster Rimell Mr Gresson 20/1
11 MARTYR W Dutton Bullock Mrs D J Watson 25/1
12 ACE OF BLADES Jack Fawcus Jack Fawcus Lt-Colonel J Fawcus 25/1
13 PRINCE TAN McKeever Myerscough (Ire) Mr Myerscough 25/1
14 FAVOURITE STAR D Williams I Anthony Mr F Ambrose-Clark 25/1
15 NON PLUS J Browne Law Mr H Beasley 25/1
16 DUNZAR R Fawcett Reynard Lady Lindsay 25/1

Won by 1 1/2 lengths and 2 lengths

 Over round 134%

The 1930 Grand Annual was held on Tuesday 11th March 1930 on Prestbury Park.