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 1952 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MARCIANUS T Molony Beeby Lord Bicester 7/1
2 CHAIN LINK R J Hamey J Hamey Mr W White 20/1
3 FILON D'OR K Mullins J Goldsmith Mr H Cozens 5/1 jt fav
4 STARWINGS M Hogan W Hall Mr L Hyman 5/1 jt fav
5 HIGH LEVEL Fred Winter T F Rimell Mr J Gittins 7/1
6 HIGHWAYMAN Bryan Marshall J F Norris Mrs C Wilson 8/1
7 WORKBOY R Morrow Kilpatrick Mr F Dyson 8/1
8 NORBORNE E Reavey Champneys Mr N Clark 8/1
9 HARIS II R Carter Neville Crump Captain T Wilson 100/8
10 LITTLE YID J A Bullock Bobby Renton Mrs E Truelove 100/7
11 ABBOT OF KNOWLE H Oliver jnr T F Rimell Mr H Oliver 100/6
12 DOMBEY S Barnes Gerry Wilson Mrs G Dowty 20/1

Won by 4 lengths and 5 lengths

 Over round 120%

The 1952 Grand Annual was held on Thursday 6th March 1952