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 1981 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FRIENDLY ALLIANCE John Francome Fred Winter Mr J Mulhern 11/2
2 PINE BROOK Paul Barton David Gandolfo Mrs D Hues 8/1
3 CASBAH Hywel Davies Tim Forster Lord Leverhulme 16/1
4 DURHAM TOWN A Wilson Henriques Mr M Henriques 7/1
5 GAMBLING PRINCE Peter Scudamore Mrs G Jones Mr J Jones 3/1 fav
6 CARROW BOY M Mulligan Bill Durkan (Ire) Mr Bill Durkan 9/1
7 EARLY SPRING Andy Turnell Bob Turnell Mr John Rogerson 11/1
8 DUC DE BOLEBEC Ron Barry Fairbairn Major L Marier 13/2
9 NOBLE STAR D O'Gorman C Magnier (Ire) Mrs C Magnier 8/1
10 RELDIS Mark Richards David Gandolfo Haunch Lane Stores 14/1
11 TONEDALE R McTinchay Mackenzie Mr C Fergus 66/1

Won by 1 1/2 lengths and 1/2 length

 Over round 122%

The 1981 Grand Annual was held on Tuesday 17th March 1981