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 1963 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ANNER LOCH David Nicholson J Hicks Mr P F Colvin 7/1
2 RICHARD OF BORDEAUX G W Robinson Fulke Walwyn Mr J S Schilizzi 4/1 fav
3 PRUDENT BARNEY H J East Bobby Renton Mrs L Brotherton 33/1
4 BARBERYN Michael Scudamore W Stephenson Mr J Bigg 5/1
5 SCHOOL FOR GAMBLE Fred Winter Jack Fawcus Mr W Lockley 5/1
6 MORETONS W Rees Peter Cazalet Mrs A Hodgson 7/1
7 FREE FROLICS F Shortt P Murphy (Ire) Mrs H D'A-Irvine 9/1
8 RONDETTO Jeff King Bob Turnell Mr A Mitchell 10/1
9 HALF CHANGE Hayhurst Bewicke Lord Cadogan 100/6
10 THATAWAY Small Wareham Mr W Wareham 20/1
11 JUNGLE BEACH Terry Biddlecombe T F Rimell Lady Lyons 20/1
12 APRIL ROSE Eddie Harty Kilpatrick Mrs M Cowley 33/1
13 SANDY SPUR T Delaney Davies Mr B Davies 33/1

Won by 5 length and 1 1/2 lengths

 Over round 120%

The 1963 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 13th March 1963