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 1937 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 AIRGEAD T McNeill Tabor Sir F Towle 9/2
2 TRESCA E C Brown Powell Mrs A A Villar 100/7
3 ASTERABAD T F Carey Beeby Mr V H Smith 10/1
4 DELAPAIX J Moloney Beeby Mr V J Snow 20/1
5 ALEXANDRINA E Williams I Anthony Mr Large 100/7
6 WINDERMERE LADDIE Jack Fawcus Coulthwaite Mr Bowness 100/8
7 MOLLISON W Parvin Reynard Lady Lindsay 20/1
8 ARTFUL DODGER D Morgan I Anthony Mr F Clark 9/2
9 LUCKPENNY T Isaac W Payne Mrs H Hollins 4/1 fav
10 MARCONI H Nicholson Barrett HM The King 8/1
11 SNOWDEN G Wilson Walter Nightingall Mr Hornung 10/1
12 DELAY Bruce Hobbs F Furlong Mr Willis 20/1
13 HOLBETON POINT Anthony Mildmay H Whiteman Lord Mildmay of Flete 10/1
14 CRANFORD ST ANDREWS M Feakes Dale Mr Chesterman 10/1

Won by 10 lengths and 3 lengths

 Over round 136%

The 1937 Grand Annual was held on Tuesday 9th March 1937 on Prestbury Park.