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Grand Annual Chase 2020 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
Friday 13 March |
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Distance: 16f 62y Age: 5yo + Prize: £110000 Going: Good to Soft (Soft in places) |
| FORM ENTRY |
SILK | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
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1. GREAT FIELD (FR) J: Jody McGarvey T: Jonjo O'Neill |
9 11-12 |
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High-class chaser at best for Willie Mullins. Failed to complete 4 of last 5 starts but was up against it in Grade 1 at Leopardstown latest. One to note on handicap debut in this sphere for new yard.
3
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2 |
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2. MARRACUDJA (FR) J: Bridget Andrews T: Dan Skelton |
9 11-11 |
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Useful chaser who recorded a career best when winning 2m handicap at Wetherby over Christmas. Probably flattered in Grade 1 at Ascot since and handicapper seems to have overreacted.
3
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3 |
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3. CAPELAND (FR) J: Bryony Frost T: Paul Nicholls |
8 11-10 |
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Looked a 2m chaser on the up when readily landing Ascot handicap in November. Not disgraced in Grade 2 at Kempton next time but out of depth in Grade 1 since. Should be much more competitive in this.
3
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4 |
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4. PALOMA BLUE (IRE) J: Aidan Coleman T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
8 11-9 |
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Best effort over hurdles when fourth in Supreme 2 years ago. Below par in Arkle last season but good efforts in defeat this winter, including when runner-up on handicap bow at Leopardstown latest.
4
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5 |
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5. MCGROARTY (IRE) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Dr Richard Newland |
9 11-9 |
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Not seen since running poorly here in October but was in the form of his life prior to that, completing a hat-trick at Kelso (17f) earlier that month.
3
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6 |
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6. GINO TRAIL (IRE) J: Jamie Moore T: Fergal O'Brien |
13 11-8 |
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Veteran who was second in this 2 years ago off 1 lb higher. Pulled up in last year's renewal and on reappearance but looked as good as ever when making winning debut for this yard at Doncaster.
3
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7 |
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7. GREANETEEN (FR) J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls |
6 11-7 |
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Expensive French recruit who has a made fine start over fences, scoring at Ascot before impressively brushing aside rivals at Musselburgh. Easily landed odds at Fakenham since and exciting prospect.
5
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8 |
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8. ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU (FR) J: Mr S. F. O'Keeffe T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-6 |
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Ran well in the County Hurdle last season and has continued his progress over fences this term, resuming winning ways to beat Paloma Blue on handicap debut in this sphere at Leopardstown latest.
4
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9 |
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9. US AND THEM (IRE) J: J. J. Slevin T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
7 11-5 |
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Ran well when third in Grade 2 at Gowran on comeback in October but disappointed next 3 starts. However, is potentially on a good mark on the pick of his form and was runner-up in last year's Arkle.
3
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10 |
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10. CHOSEN MATE (IRE) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
7 11-4 |
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Useful over hurdles and built on chase debut at second attempt when winning maiden at Gowran 50 days ago, readily beating a subsequent winner. Jumped well that day and more to offer in this sphere.
4
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11 |
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11. BALLYWOOD (FR) J: Tom Bellamy T: Alan King |
6 11-3 |
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Won 3 times over fences last term and easily best effort this season when third over C&D in December, pulling hard and left with too much to do. Capable off this mark if things drop right.
3
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12 |
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12. CAID DU LIN (FR) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Dr Richard Newland |
8 11-3 |
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Back to winning ways in 2m Ludlow handicap in December but faced a stiff task in Grade 2 Desert Orchid at Kempton 9 days later, and let down by jumping at Sandown since.
2
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13 |
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13. WINTER ESCAPE (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: Ben Haslam |
9 11-1 |
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Useful ex-Irish 20f winning chaser for Aidan Howard but ran poorly on debut for this yard at Wetherby last month so something to prove now.
2
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14 |
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14. TWO TAFFS (IRE) J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton |
10 11-1 |
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Strong traveller who had 2 years off but proved he retains all of his ability when runner-up at Warwick 5 weeks ago and is lurking on a handy mark. Drop back in trip shouldn't pose a problem.
3
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15 |
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15. CROCO BAY (IRE) J: Kielan Woods T: Ben Case |
13 11-1 |
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Veteran who belied odds of 66/1 when winning this race 12 months ago off 5 lb lower (also third in 2015). Back to that level when runner-up at Doncaster 7 weeks ago and has to be respected.
3
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16 |
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16. LISP (IRE) J: Tom Cannon T: Alan King |
6 11-1 |
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Confirmed chase debut promise when landing odds at Plumpton. Proved no match for principals when third of 4 in Grade 2 at Doncaster since but remains with potential ahead of handicap bow over fences.
4
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17 |
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17. JAN MAAT (GER) J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
7 10-13 |
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Useful chaser who made the most of what became a very good opportunity in Grade 3 novice at Punchestown in October. Off since but might have been saved for this.
3
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18 |
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18. ADRRASTOS (IRE) J: Gavin Sheehan T: Jamie Snowden |
8 10-13 |
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Missed whole of 2018 but has made up for lost time, winning 4 of last 9 starts, including when making all in first-time headgear at Kempton when last seen in October. More needed still.
3
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19 |
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19. THEINVAL (FR) J: Jeremiah McGrath T: Nicky Henderson |
10 10-12 |
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Lightly raced in last couple of seasons and failed to complete both starts this term, but often saves his best for the spring and placed in this in 2017 and 2018 off this mark.
3
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20 |
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20. THE BAY BIRCH (IRE) J: Stan Sheppard T: Matt Sheppard |
9 10-11 |
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Further improvement when completing hat-trick on return at Chepstow in October. However, has found life tougher since and likely to find this too hot. Cheekpieces go on.
3
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Analyst's Verdict
The unexposed and progressive GREANETEEN has created such a positive impression in 3 starts over fences that he would have held claims if running in Tuesday's Arkle. His jumping has been electric and, set to contest graded contests in future, he can outclass his rivals here off a mark of 150. The chief threats could come from another couple of novices in Lisp and Chosen Mate.
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 2020 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?
£111,000 (2020)
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
