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 1839 Premier Handicap 4 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 LOTTERY Jem Mason 12 stone Mr John G Elmore 1/2 fav
2 CHARITY Mr Oliver 12 stone Mr Vevers 5/1
3 CANNON-BALL Mr Powell 12 stone Mr J R Newcombe
4 HARRY mare Mr Patrick 12 stone Mr P Thompson 100/8

Won by a distance and 8 lengths

 Over round 105%

The 1839 Grand Annual was staged on Thursday 4th April 1838 a short distance further south than the previous year, starting around Cockleford Hill then on to Chatcombe Wood and Tom Tit Bottom. The Although there were only 4 runners, the field included the Grand National winner Lottery, a future Grand National winner Charity and last year’s Grand Annual winner Cannon-Ball. Although in the early runnings of the Grand Annual horses were allocated 12 stone, once Lottery came onto the scene a severe handicap was imposed to reduce his chance of dominating the race.