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 2009 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 OH CRICK Wayne Hutchinson Alan King Mr David Sewell 7/1
2 MOON OVER MIAMI Noel Fehily Charlie Mann Mrs M A Fulton, M Lynch 20/1
3 FRENCH OPERA Marcus Foley Nicky Henderson Mrs Judy Wilson, Martin Landau 10/1
4 TRAMANTANO Paddy Brennan Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr H R Mould 33/1
5 TIGER CRY Davy Russell Arthur Moore (Ire) Mr C Jones 14/1
6 CALATOGAN Phil Kinsella Malcolm Jefferson Mr & Mrs J Davenport 16/1
7 VALAIN David Casey Charlie Swan (Ire) Mr John P McManus 14/1
8 POQUELIN Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family 3/1 fav
9 PASCO Sam Thomas Paul Nicholls Terry Warner 8/1
10 I'M SO LUCKY Tom Scudamore David Pipe Mrs S J Brookbank 16/1
11 CLEW BAY COVE Tony McCoy C A Murphy Mr John P McManus 9/1
12 LORIENT EXPRESS Aidan Coleman Venetia Williams Suzanne & Nigel Williams 14/1
13 JIGSAW DANCER Mark Grant Andy Turnell Robinson Webster 66/1
14 ANDREAS Christian Williams Paul Nicholls Mr Trevor Hemmings 33/1
15 MY PETRA Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson Mr & Mrs R Kelvin-Hughes 10/1
16 PSYCHOMODO Wilson Renwick Brendan Powell The Arkle Bar Partnership 20/1
17 PALARSHAM Andrew Tinkler Henry Daly Sumner Wellesley 66/1
18 BEGGARS CAP Graham Lee Ferdy Murphy Mr Trevor Hemmings 33/1

Won by 3/4 length and 7 lengths

 Over round 130%

The 2009 Grand Annual was held on Friday 13th March 2009