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 1838 Premier Handicap 4 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 CANNON-BALL Mr Powell 12 stone Mr Newcombe
2 CHARITY Mr Barker 12 stone Mr Vevers
3 SPORTSMAN Mr C Walker 12 stone Mr C Walker
4 SIR WILLIAM Mr McDonough 12 stone Mr McDonough
5 CETUS Captain William Becher 12 stone Mr John Day
6 RAILROAD Mr Oliver 12 stone Mr C Marshall
7 SCAMP Mr Devine 12 stone Mr G O'Moore

Won by 2 lengths in 13 minutes

 Over round N/A

In 1838 it was held 4 miles south of Cheltenham and 8 miles from Gloucester on Wednesday 28th March 1838, on a course designed, as usual, by Lord Segrave, starting in a field near Chatcombe Wood, running to Hilcot Downs, leaving Mr Day’s farm to the right, then over a line of country leading to the new Cirencester road, over Cowley Brook  and Cubberley Turnpike before a 200 yards run in, finishing at the starting point.