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 1970 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FORTINAS PALACE P Jones Michael Scudamore Mr J Nesbitt Davis 10/1
2 MOST HANDSOME Josh Gifford Denys Smith Mr Joe Lisle 6/1 fav
3 RURAL GAMBLE Stan Mellor Frank Cundell Mrs W Foster Symes 7/1
4 FISHERS LODGE Steve Jobar Kilpatrick Mr T B Roydon 15/2
5 CHATHAM K B White T Rimell Mr C Knott 100/8
6 NAUGHTY BOY David Nicholson Roddy Armytage Colonel John Thomson 100/8
7 ARD COAL R Edwards Denys Smith Mr F T Scotto 100/8
8 SAILORS COLLAR Eddie Harty Geoff Balding Mrs E W Wetherill 100/7
9 NOVA LIGHT Jeremy Speid Soote Les Kennard Mr R Johnston 100/6
10 CATS CRADLE B R Davies P Ransom Mr Sidney Martin 100/6
11 GLENKILN P Ennis Ken Oliver Mr S A Fraser 20/1
12 DECODE Johnny Bourke W D Francis Mrs R S McAlpine 20/1
13 ALL GLORY A S Robinson J A Edwards Mr A S Robinson 25/1
14 WOOD SPIRIT Palmer Michael Scudamore Mr H Bryn Thomas 25/1
15 FLASH BULB Johnny Haine Bob Turnell Mrs J Rogerson 25/1
16 BORDER GRACE R Reid J R Bower Mr J R Bower 25/1
17 GAMBIA J Skjoedt Vernon Miller Air Marshall Sir John Baldwin 25/1
18 TIBER BAY N Kernick David Barons Mr P Alan Crow 25/1

Won by a neck and 6 lengths

 Over round 124%

The 1970 Grand Annual was held on Wednesday 18th March 1970