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 1862 Premier Handicap 4 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 PENARTH George Holman 10 stone 12lbs Mr Cartwright evens fav
2 MEDORA Riley 11 stone Mr Riley 7/1
3 WILLOUGHBY W Edwards 10 stone 2lbs Mr H Lington 20/1
4 COCKATOO Nightingall 9 stone Captain Cooper 7/1
5 YORKSHIRE GREY F Martin 10 stone 6lbs Mr B Land 8/1
6 BLACK ROSE F Lotan 10 stone 6lbs Mr Jackson 6/1
7 ACE OF HEARTS George Stevens 10 stone Mr Powell 7/1
8 PINE APPLE Walter White 9 stone 12lbs Mr Hidson 20/1
9 XANTHUS C Boyve 9 stone 4lbs Mr Craven 20/1
10 THE HERMIT J Knott 9 stone Mr Adey 20/1
11 PULLAWAY Monaghan 8 stone 12lbs Mr Powell 6/1

Won by 1 length and a neck

 Over round 145%

The 1862 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 9th April 1862 on a farm on the Gloucester Road, Southam owned by W S Davis