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 1854 Premier Handicap 4 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 TROUT Tasker 10 stone 7lbs Mr Moseley 4/7 fav
2 COLUMBINE Weaver 9 stone 7lbs Captain Newman 6/1
3 TEDDESLEY John Holman 9 stone Mr Evans 4/1
4 VIEW HALLOO William Archer 9 stone 8lbs Mr Ramble 10/1
5 SAM HOOD Sait 9 stone 8lb Mr Sait 10/1

Won by 2 lengths and 3 lengths

 Over round 115%

The 1854 Grand Annual was held in the vicinity of Cheltenham on Wednesday 5th April 1854 where the crowds witnessed a remarkable incident. Sam Hood fell at the fence beyond the Farm and rolled over his jockey Sait, dislocating the jockeys should. Remarkably, the jockey remounted, but the pain only allowed him to go on for a short distance.