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 1934 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CORKAREE J Hamey Read Wing-Commander W R Read 10/1
2 ROAD AGENT D Morgan I Anthony Mr G H Bostwick 5/2 fav
3 PRIDE OF AVON G Hardy Gosden Major W N Hillsey 10/1
4 DRINTOWN Beechener C Beechener Mr L Preston 100/9
5 ROYAL SCOTT G Wilson W Payne Mrs H Hollins 10/1
6 THE BROWN TALISMAN W Stott Blair Mr M Stephens 10/1
7 CANTILLIUS II J Mason Beeby Mr V H Smith 3/1
8 SOLIPED Morgan G Poole Mrs C L Mackean 20/1
9 PENCRAIK Duggan Wight Mrs I Strang 100/6
10 SUCCESSOR II J B Jones Marsh Mr E Marsh 20/1
11 SQUIRE MORRIS E Foster Nugent Sir E Wills 100/6
12 TAOS R Lyall Pease Mr E Pease 20/1
13 MORE & MORE Horlick P Thrale Mr G Henderson 10/1

Won by 3/4 length and 4 lengths

 Over round 134%

The 1934 Grand Annual was held on Tuesday 6th March 1934 on Prestbury Park.