Grand Annual Chase 2021 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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4:15 Wed 17 Mar GRAND ANNUAL CHASE Distance: 15f 199y Age: 5yo + Prize: £82,500 Going: Gd/Sft
A few of these are potentially well handicapped but IBLEO is arguably the most progressive in the field so could still be ahead of his mark. The Irish hold a strong hand as usual, headed by Joseph O'Brien's trio Embittered, Entoucas and Us And Them, along with last year's impressive winner Chosen Mate, while Bun Doran makes each-way appeal at bigger odds. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
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1 |
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1. DUC DES GENIEVRES (FR) J: Lorcan Williams T: Paul Nicholls |
8 11-12 |
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| Arkle winner in 2019 for Willie Mullins. Just about best run since when second in C&D Grade 2 on reappearance/yard debut but not in same form next 2 starts. Handicap debut. | |||||
2 |
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2. SIZING POTTSIE (FR) J: Robbie Power T: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland |
7 11-10 |
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| Out of his depth in a Grade 1 last time but was impressive when winning his sole start in a handicap at Fairyhouse in December, beating Entoucas by 6 lengths. Trainer knows how to win this race. | |||||
3 |
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3. CHOSEN MATE (IRE) J: Jordan Colin Gainford T: Mrs Denise Foster, Ireland |
8 11-10 |
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| Landed a gamble when impressive winner of this (on the other course) last season off 9 lb lower. Winner on the Flat in the summer but down the field back over jumps since. Much better expected now. | |||||
4 |
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4. IBLEO (FR) J: Charlie Deutsch T: Venetia Williams |
8 11-8 |
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| Low-mileage 8-y-o who has taken form to a new level this season, runner-up to Sky Pirate here before winning handicaps at Sandown and Doncaster. Open to further improvement over fences. | |||||
5 |
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5. SKY PIRATE J: Nick Scholfield T: Jonjo O'Neill |
8 11-6 |
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| Well suited by the drop to 2m when winning handicap chases at Cheltenham (beat Ibleo) and Warwick. Excuses in Grade 2 at latter track since and this scenario should play more to his strengths. | |||||
6 |
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6. BUN DORAN (IRE) J: Jonathan Burke T: Tom George |
10 11-4 |
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| Kempton Grade 2 winner last winter. Also third in Champion Chase later that season. Below par all 3 starts this term but is potentially well handicapped. Runner-up in this 2 years ago. | |||||
7 |
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7. US AND THEM (IRE) J: J. J. Slevin T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
8 11-1 |
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| Has been largely disappointing since his novice campaign (runner-up in the Arkle) but there's no doubt he's potentially on a good mark having finished third in this last season off 1 lb higher. | |||||
8 |
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8. MOONLIGHTER J: David Bass T: Nick Williams |
8 11-1 |
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| Won at Newbury last term and took another step forward when runner-up in Haldon Gold Cup on return. Resumed progress with gutsy win at Sandown under this rider and should give another good account. | |||||
9 |
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9. GLEN FORSA (IRE) J: Tom Scudamore T: Mick Channon |
9 11-1 |
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| Very smart novice in 2018/19. Lightly raced since and mostly disappointing, though latest fourth at Wincanton was at least a step back in the right direction. Has had a wind op since. | |||||
10 |
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10. AMOOLA GOLD (GER) J: Bridget Andrews T: Dan Skelton |
8 11-0 |
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| Having an excellent season, making winning return at Wetherby before defying 5 lb rise at Ascot. Even better form when runner-up both starts since, 2¼ lengths behind Sky Pirate at Warwick last time. | |||||
11 |
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11. EMBITTERED (IRE) J: Rachael Blackmore T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
7 11-0 |
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| Ran a cracker when third in County Hurdle last season and seems at least as good over fences despite not winning from 4 attempts, out of his depth in Grade 1s last twice. Much better expected here. | |||||
12 |
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12. ZANZA (IRE) J: Richard Johnson T: Philip Hobbs |
7 10-13 |
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| Useful hurdler and no surprise to see him do better over fences given physique, off the mark at Newbury in November. Yet to be asked for effort when falling 3 out here since, so claims off same mark. | |||||
13 |
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13. ENTOUCAS (FR) J: M. P. Walsh T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
7 10-11 |
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| Yet to win over fences this season but deserves credit for his consistency, and latest fourth of 20 in competitive handicap at Leopardstown (strong form) was a career best. | |||||
14 |
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14. ON THE SLOPES J: Tom Cannon T: Chris Gordon |
7 10-8 |
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| Did well over fences last season, third in red-hot 20f Timeform novice handicap before winning twice at Kempton. Shaped well here on return but disappointed both starts since (jumpers bumper latest). | |||||
15 |
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15. ASHUTOR (FR) J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls |
7 10-7 |
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| Taken well to fences this season, landing the odds in a couple of handicaps in the summer. Progress has rather stalled since, however, placed at Fontwell 6 months apart. Yard has won this 4 times. | |||||
16 |
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16. NOT THAT FUISSE (FR) J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton |
8 10-5 |
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| Useful chaser who won a jumpers bumper at Newcastle 6 weeks ago. Career best required but strongly-run 2m should be ideal (strong traveller). | |||||
17 |
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17. WESTERN MILLER (IRE) J: Paul O'Brien T: Charlie Longsdon |
10 10-5 |
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| Useful chaser on his day, as shown when runner-up over C&D off 2 lb higher in December. Below form since but consistency has always been an issue. | |||||
18 |
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18. THEINVAL (FR) J: Non Runner T: Nicky Henderson |
11 10-4 |
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| Lightly raced in recent years and not much of an impact this season but has a good record in this race which has presumably been the target. NON RUNNER. | |||||
19 |
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19. CAPUCCIMIX (FR) J: D. J. O'Keeffe T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
8 10-4 |
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| Below par this season but latest seventh of 20 in handicap chase at Leopardstown 39 days ago was a step back in the right direction. Needs to improve off this mark but remains low mileage. | |||||
20 |
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20. OR JAUNE DE SOMOZA (FR) J: J. W. Kennedy T: Mrs Denise Foster, Ireland |
9 10-4 |
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| Useful handicap chaser for Henry de Bromhead and similar form for this stable but hasn't shown enough to suggest he can win a race as competitive as this. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 7/1 7 EMBITTERED, 8/1 8 SKY PIRATE, 8/1 8 ENTOUCAS, 17/2 8.5 ZANZA, 14/1 14 IBLEO, 14/1 14 CHOSEN MATE, 20/1 20 US AND THEM, 22/1 22 AMOOLA GOLD, 22/1 22 MOONLIGHTER, 22/1 22 SIZING POTTSIE, 22/1 22 ON THE SLOPES, 28/1 28 GLEN FORSA, 28/1 28 DUC DES GENIEVRES, 33/1 33 BUN DORAN, 33/1 33 ASHUTOR, 33/1 33 NOT THAT FUISSE, 33/1 33 CAPUCCIMIX, 40/1 40 OR JAUNE DE SOMOZA, 50/1 50 WESTERN MILLER |
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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
