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 1836 Premier Handicap 4 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 STANDARD Mr Smith 12 stone Mr W Bryan 15/1
2 THE PERFORMER W Sadler 12 stone Mr Dangerfield 8/1
3 BEATRICE Mr Powell 12 stone Mr T Meyrick 5/1 co fav
4 VIVIAN Captain William Becher 12 stone Mr Baring 5/1 co fav
5 SPENDOUR Mr Isaac Day 12 stone Colonel Gilbert 5/1 co fav
6 LADY TEAZLE Mr Crommelin 12 stone Mr P Thompson 15/1
7 RED DEER Mr Bean 12 stone Mr J W Bryan 15/1
8 FOREIGNER Mr S Lovesy 12 stone Mr D Newman 15/1
9 MAID OF THE GROVE Mr Wynniatt 12 stone Mr J Yearsley 15/1
10 COUNTESS Mr Clifford 12 stone Mr Clifford 5/1 co fav
11 CHASSEUSE Mr Crowther 12 stone Mr Crowther 15/1
12 ADA Mr Solloway 12 stone Mr V Jenkins 15/1
12 ran; won by a head and the same; Over round 117%

The 1836 Grand Annual Steeplechase for £50 was held on Friday 25th March 1836 over a very similar course at Andover as in 1835, designed as usual by Lord Segrave, although the brook, which had been crossed twice in 1835 was crossed 3 times in 1836.