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 1840 Premier Handicap 4 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 LOTTERY Jem Mason 13st 3lbs Mr John G Elmore 2/1 fav
2 SEVENTY-FOUR Mr Vivian   Sir Edward Mostyn 6/1
3 CIGAR Mr A McDonough   Mr Robinson 6/1
4 THE WEAVER Captain Skipworth   Lord Macdonald 100/8
5 JACOB FAITHFUL Mr De Winton   Mr P Lewis 100/8
6 PATRON Mr Brotherton   Mr John Elmore 100/8
7 ZETHUS Mr W Sadler   Lord Segrave 8/1
8 ARTHUR Mr W McDonough   Mr Barry 7/1
9 THE SEA Mr Wan   Lord Waterford 100/8
10 PHYSICIAN Mr Oliver   Mr C Marshall 100/8
11 TOBACCONIST Mr Powell   Sir Edward Mostyn 5/1
12 CANNON-BALL Mr J R Newcombe   Mr J R Newcombe 10/1
13 CHEROOT Mr Martin   Mr Tomes 100/8

There was confusion at the end because Lottery won comfortably, with Seventy-Four second past the post, but Patron made a claim for second suggesting that all others had taken the wrong course. The objection was declined and the result stood.

 Over round 157%

The Grand Annual returned to Andoversford on Friday 3rd April 1840 with an incease in prize money from £70 to £200. Lord Segrave designed a course which began in the field opposite the Andoversford Inn, the field then faced a small fence, the brook, 3 further small fences before joining the Gloucester Road. They passed Garrick's House, Owdswell Farm, along the Witherington and Frogmill Roads before ending up in a winning field within 2 fields of Whittington Court. Thirteen runners took part, including the previous years Grand National and Grand Annual winner Lottery who was allocated a massive 13st 3lbs, but was still made the 2/1 fav, and the public's confidence in the great horse was rewarded with a victory.