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Grand Annual Chase 2022 Racecard
The Grand Annual Chase is a Grade 3 race that takes place on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival.
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4:50 Wed 16 Mar GRAND ANNUAL CHASE Distance: 15f 199y Age: 5yo + Prize: £125,000 Going: Heavy
A host holding sound claims in a typically intriguing renewal, including low-mileage ANDY DUFRESNE. A dual winner as a novice last term, he ran right up to his best when second at Naas in November, conceding 7 lb to a decidedly smart rival. He can provide JP McManus with his fourth victory in this since 2012. Stablemate Buddy Rich, Thyme White and last year's winner Sky Pirate can also feature. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS | |
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1 |
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1. SKY PIRATE J: Nick Scholfield T: Jonjo O'Neill |
9 11-12 |
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| Much improved for drop to 2m last season, defying a market drift to land this race from 4 lb lower mark. Hard to knock efforts in defeat this time around and expected to give it another good go. | |||||
2 |
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2. ANDY DUFRESNE (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
8 11-11 |
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| Low-mileage 8-y-o who landed first 2 starts over fences last term, including Navan Grade 3. Return second at Naas in November right up there with his best efforts and he's interesting now handicapping | |||||
3 |
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3. EDITEUR DU GITE (FR) J: Joshua Moore T: Gary Moore |
8 11-9 |
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| Improving front-running chaser who again jumped boldly when landing a second course handicap in December, keeping on well. Very likeable sort who should go well despite career-high mark. | |||||
4 |
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4. A WAVE OF THE SEA (IRE) J: Shane Fitzgerald T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
6 11-6 |
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| Reacted well to fitting of blinkers, best of those held up when runner-up in Munster National and displayed good attitude to score at Leopardstown (17.2f) last month. 8 lb higher mark to defy now. | |||||
5 |
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5. EXIT POLL (IRE) J: S. F. O'Keeffe T: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland |
8 11-5 |
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| Scored twice over fences last year, landing a Roscommon Gr 3 by a neck from Embittered in September. Solid efforts in handicaps next 2 starts but must shrug off lesser effort at Leopardstown latest. | |||||
6 |
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6. BEFORE MIDNIGHT J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Sam Thomas |
9 11-4 |
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| Built up a very solid record over fences, winning on return here in October prior to following up at Ascot (16.7f) a month later. Career-best when second at Doncaster in January and not discounted. | |||||
7 |
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7. EMBITTERED (IRE) J: B. J. Cooper T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
8 11-1 |
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| Smart hurdler who fell in this race 12 months ago (well backed) but managed 2 chase victories thereafter, latterly a Gr 3 in October. Well held in graded company since but this likely been his target. | |||||
8 |
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8. BUDDY RICH (IRE) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
9 11-0 |
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| Dual hurdles winner who landed a Navan maiden chase (17f) in good style in November. Not in same form on handicap bow at Fairyhouse in November but he arrives here fresh and high on shortlist. | |||||
9 |
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9. ELIXIR DE NUTZ (FR) J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. T: Colin Tizzard |
8 10-13 |
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| Smart hurdler who arrives having landed Plumpton novice (19.7f) in January prior to easily accounting for 3 rivals on handicap debut at Kempton (18f). Remains low-mileage but this much deeper. | |||||
10 |
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10. AMARILLO SKY (IRE) J: Brendan Powell T: Colin Tizzard |
6 10-13 |
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| Done little wrong since going chasing, gaining second small-field victory in emphatic fashion at Newbury (16.4f) last month, from Shakem Up'arry. Assessor applies further pressure and this tougher. | |||||
11 |
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11. DANCING ON MY OWN (IRE) J: D. J. O'Keeffe T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
8 10-13 |
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| Made light of lengthy absence to take a KIllarney maiden chase (17f) in October. Had plausible excuses in a couple of starts since (fell latest) and not ruled out on handicap bow over fences. | |||||
12 |
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12. IL RIDOTO (FR) J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls |
5 10-13 |
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| Improved markedly on yard debut effort when easy winner from 12 lb lower at Newbury (16.4f) in November. Similar form when third of 4 in Lingfield novice (2m) in January and he may have more to offer | |||||
13 |
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13. THYME WHITE (FR) J: Bryony Frost T: Paul Nicholls |
6 10-12 |
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| Useful handicap hurdler who quickly put his Ascot aberration behind him when landing Doncaster novices' handicap chase (16.3f) in December, impressively. Kept fresh for this and he's interesting. | |||||
14 |
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14. FRERO BANBOU (FR) J: Charlie Deutsch T: Venetia Williams |
7 10-11 |
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| Chased home Editeur du Gite when third here in November prior to tasting success at Lingfield (2m) in January. Form of his subsequent Sandown second looks solid and in with a sound each-way shout. | |||||
15 |
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15. POSEIDON (IRE) J: D. E. Mullins T: Charles Byrnes, Ireland |
8 10-11 |
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| Confirmed previous promise to make winning handicap chase debut at Cork (17.7f) in October. Things haven't gone to plan since but this more suitable than his latest Punchestown novice assignment. | |||||
16 |
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16. GUMBALL (FR) J: Paddy Brennan T: Fergal O'Brien |
8 10-10 |
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| Smart hurdler/chaser at his best who struck on the Flat at York (2m) in October. Ran well despite a sluggish start when second at Ludlow (2m) in December and he appeals as being on a handy mark. | |||||
17 |
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17. CAPUCCIMIX (FR) J: Jordan Colin Gainford T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
9 10-8 |
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| Creditable sixth having helped force pace in this 12 months ago and cashed in off reduced mark at Killarney (17f) in July. Not in same form either start this winter and he needs to keep errors at bay. | |||||
18 |
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18. FOR PLEASURE (IRE) J: Harry Bannister T: Alex Hales |
7 10-8 |
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| Front runner who opened chase account in 3-runner Plumpton novice (17f) in December. Fell next time but typically went with plenty of zest for all he was last of 4 in Gr 2 latest. This more suitable. | |||||
19 |
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19. HASANKEY (IRE) J: Lewis Dobb T: L J Morgan |
6 10-7 |
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| Made excellent strides forward over fences this season, defying another hike in weights when completing hat-trick at Wetherby (15f) last month, just holding on. Understandably more needed again. | |||||
20 |
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20. GLOBAL CITIZEN (IRE) J: Kielan Woods T: Ben Pauling |
10 10-6 |
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| Smart front-running hurdler/chaser in 2019/20. Confirmed still has plenty to offer over timber this term, third in listed Contenders hurdle at Sandown latest. Will face competition up front, though. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 8/1 8 BUDDY RICH, 9/1 9 EMBITTERED, 11/1 11 FRERO BANBOU, 12/1 12 THYME WHITE, 14/1 14 ANDY DUFRESNE, 14/1 14 AMARILLO SKY, 16/1 16 SKY PIRATE, 18/1 18 BEFORE MIDNIGHT, 18/1 18 DANCING ON MY OWN, 18/1 18 EDITEUR DU GITE, 22/1 22 FOR PLEASURE, 22/1 22 GUMBALL, 22/1 22 ELIXIR DE NUTZ, 22/1 22 A WAVE OF THE SEA, 22/1 22 IL RIDOTO, 25/1 25 EXIT POLL, 28/1 28 POSEIDON, 28/1 28 HASANKEY, 40/1 40 CAPUCCIMIX, 50/1 50 GLOBAL CITIZEN, 499/1 499 DESTINED TO SHINE |
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This handicap race is open to horses aged five years or older. The race takes place on the New Course at Cheltenham, over a distance of about two miles and half a furlong (2 miles and 110 yards) – with a total of 14 fences to be jumped.
The Grand Annual is not only the oldest race run at the Festival, it is the oldest chase present in the National Hunt Calendar. First run in 1834, the race was discontinued for a time before being run in several different venues around the country. It returned to Cheltenham in 1913.
The race bears the name of Johnny Henderson, who did much to safeguard the future of the race and the Festival. He is also the father of trainer Nicky Henderson, who has won this race twice – in 2006 and 2012.
In 2019, Croco Bay sprang a 66/1 surprise when holding off Bun Doran, in the process becoming the first 12-year-old to win the race since 1997. The success was also a first at the Festival for the horse’s trainer Ben Case and jockey Kielan Woods.
Since 1946, only two horses have won the race more than once – Top Twenty (1958, 59) and Dulwich (1974, 76).
The leading jockey in the same period is Graham Bradley, who won this race four times (1986, 1992, 1995, 1997). Davy Russell is the leading active jockey, having won it twice.
The top trainer in this race is Paul Nicholls, who has won it a total of four times – (2004, 2007, 2016, 2018).
Grand Annual Chase 2022 FAQs
What is the distance of the Grand Annual Chase?
2 miles and 110 yards
How many obstacles are jumped in the Grand Annual Chase?
14
What day of the festival is the Grand Annual Chase?
Day 4
What time is the Grand Annual Chase?
16:50
What weights are carried for the Grand Annual Chase?
As it is a traditional National Hunt handicap steeplechase, weights range from 11 st 12 lb for the top weight, to 10 st for the bottom weight.
What is the purse for the Grand Annual Chase?
£110,000 (2019)
Who is the leading jockey in the Grand Annual Chase*?
Davy Russell is the leading active jockey, Graham Bradley is the all-time leader.
Who is the leading trainer in the Grand Annual Chase*?
Paul Nicholls.
Who won the Grand Annual Chase?
You can check out our Grand Annual Chase results page here to see a list of previous winners.
Where can I compare the odds for the Grand Annual Chase?
Click the link to visit our Grand Annual Chase Odds Comparison page.
*Since 1972
