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 2007 Premier Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ANDREAS Robert Thornton Paul Nicholls Mr Trevor Hemmings 12/1
2 HASTY PRINCE Tony McCoy Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P McManus 8/1
3 GROUND BALL David Casey Charlie Swan Mr John P McManus 33//1
4 URSIS Barry Geraghty Steve Gollins Mr P J Martin 14/1
5 BAMBI DE L'ORME Graham Lee Ian Williams Mr & Mrs John Poynton 25/1
6 SAINTSAIRE Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family 5/2 fav
7 ZUM SEE Niall Madden Noel Meade (Ire) Alex Syndicate 66/1
8 TYSOU Mick Fitzgerald Nicky Henderson Mr W J Brown 12/1
9 FIGARO DU ROCHER Rodi Greene David Pipe Pipe Monkees 100/1
10 COAT OF HONOUR Paddy Brennan Howard Johnson Mr R Arbey 28/1
11 GREENHOPE Andrew Tinkler Nicky Henderson Lyn & Giles Wilson, Martin Landau 25/1
12 MISTY DANCER Liam Treadwell Venetia Williams Pinks Gym Leisure Wear 50/1
13 TANIKOS Marcus Foley Nicky Henderson Studwell Two Partnership 66/1
14 CALATOGAN T J Dreaper Malcolm Jefferson Mr & Mrs J Davenport 33/1
15 JACKS CRAIC Tony Evans John Spearing Bbb Computer Services 12/1
16 PABLO DU CHARMIL Tom Scudamore David Pipe Mr Joe Moran 6/1
17 BORORA Tom Doyle Richard Lee Mrs E M Clarke 25/1
18 CROIX DE GUERRE Tom O'Brien Philip Hobbs Mrs Karola Vann 50/1
19 KAHUNA Michael Darcy E Sheehy Mrs Roisin Sheehy 40/1
20 COMMONCHERO Andrew Lynch M O'Brien (Ire) Mr Kieran Grainger 100/1
21 SPORAZENE Sam Thomas Paul Nicholls Mr Ged Mason 20/1
22 CARTHALAWN D G Hogan C Byrnes (Ire) Joe Soap Syndicate 20/1
23 DEMI BEAU Paul Moloney Evan Williams Cunningham Racing 12/1

Won by 3 lengths and 4 lengths

 Over round 134%

The 2007 Grand Annual was held on Friday 16th March 2007