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 1935 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 LUCKPENNY W Speck W Payne Mrs H Hollins 3/1 fav
2 THERAS Jack Fawcus H Harrison Mr Metcalf 100/6
3 CRANFORD ST ANDREWS Keith Piggott Dale Mr Chesterman 10/1
4 DELAPAIX J Moloney Beeby Mr J Snow 7/1
5 BEACON HILL II E Williams I Anthony Mrs C Whitney 8/1
6 HARONORAH F Maxwell Beeby Mr H J Simms 100/8
7 LADY GAY J Ward Gilbert Mrs C Jones 100/8
8 WAKOO S Magee Gosden Mr A Berry 8/1
9 CORKAREE J Hamey Read Wing-Commander W Read 100/8
10 ROAD AGENT G Bostwick I Anthony Mr G Bostwick 7/1
11 TAOS E C Brown E Pease Mr E Pease 7/1
12 TOM OLIVER F Gurney Roberts Mr Morel 100/8
13 VILLAGE BOY D Morgan Dutton Mr R Mealings 100/6

Won by 3/4 length and 5 lengths

 Over round 136%

The 1935 Grand Annual was held on Tuesday 12th March 1935 on Prestbury Park.