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 1941 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ICEBERG II H Nicholson Reg Hobbs Lord Sefton 5/2
2 PERFECT FREEDOM R Burford I Anthony Mrs R Craven 5/1
3 SOLARIUM T Rimell T F Rimell Sir Edward Hanmer 7/4 fav
4 TONBAUN G Wilson P Thrale Mr Peter Thrale 8/1
5 MIXED FOURSOME Captain R Petre Hemsworth Captain Petre 100/8
6 KERBOGA T Crabb Smallwood Mr C Bower Ismay 100/8
7 RYE FIELD A Jack Edwards Mr C Edwards 100/8
8 PERRONS ISLE J E Smith Smith Mr E Smith 100/7
9 ARRAN PEAKS D Butchers Norris Mr J Rank 20/1
10 BRIGHT'UN Jack Fawcus P Stewart Lt-Col P Stewart 20/1
11 LUNCARTY Hunter J Hall Mr C Gregory 20/1
12 CARNALEA E C Brown Reynard Lady Lindsay 20/1

Won by 3/4 length and 3/4 length

 Over round 142%

The 1941 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 19th March 1941 on Prestbury Park.