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 1965 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FORT ROUGE G Milburn J Oliver Lady Edmonstone 13/2
2 WELL PACKED S Hayhurst Bobby Renton Mrs L Brotherton 100/8
3 CORRIGADILLISK B Hannon Tom Taaffe (Ire) Mr R Collins 11/2
4 MORETONS David Nicholson Peter Cazalet Captain R Harvey 15/2
5 WILMINGTON II Dave Dick Peter Cazalet Mr R Wilkins 3/1 fav
6 DOMAIN Johnny Haine Bob Turnell J Rogerson 7/2
7 ROYAL EMBLEM Stan Mellor Ransom Mrs F Stock 9/1
8 THE O'MALLEY Paddy Broderick A Stephenson Mrs M Britton 100/7
9 BLEACHED TIPS Palmer Geoff Balding Mrs A Kimber 33/1
10 SOLDANORA Johnny Lehane D Williams Mr J Lisle 33/1

Won by 3/4 length and 6 lengths

 Over round 119%

The 1965 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 10th March 1965