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Pulse Racing
Grand Annual
Detailed race analysis for The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.
RACE SUMMARY
First run in 1834, the Grand Annual is the oldest surviving steeplechase in Britain, although it was discontinued for several decades before returning to Cheltenham in 1913.
The name Johnny Henderson was added in 2005 to honour the influential owner and racecourse supporter.
It is a Premier Handicap for horses aged five and older, run on the Old Course over 2 miles, with 13 fences.
It’s typically a fast run 2 miles and as a handicap it’s often highly competitive.
WINNING PROFILE
AVERAGE AGE
8.2
142
AVERAGE OFFICIAL RATING
AVERAGE CHASE RUNS PRIOR
10.7
PATH TO CHELTENHAM
The following races have produced the most Grand Annual winners since 2016:
-
(2) Randox Health Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, October)
-
(2) Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, November)
Number of horses that ran in these races and went on to win at Cheltenham that season in brackets.
TRAINER WINS
TRAINER S/R
WINS BY AGE
PULSE STOPPER
Only one last-time-out winner has won 1/11 from 38 LTO winners 1/38 | 2.6%
Eights are the biggest group of runners (62/217) and have won only once 1/62 | 1.6%
Mullins and Henderson have had five runners each and are a combined 0/10 | 0%
Officially rated 134 or lower: 0/11 and 153+ 0/19 | 0%
Favourites are 1/11 | 9.1%
PULSE INSIGHT
Irish-trained 4/62 | 6.5%, British-trained 7/155 | 4.5%.
Runners priced at 20/1+ are 5/112 | 4.5% though this would return a profit of £103 given the big priced winners
French-breds 6/74 | 8.1% (base is 5.1%)
Runners in Grand Annual previous two years are 4/11 | 42/217 | 9.5%
Nicholls is the only trainer will multiple wins at 2/16 | 12.5%
OR 135 –144: 7/112 | 6.2%
LTO defeat and OR 135–144: 6/84 | 7.1%.
PULSE EDGE
PULSE SUMMARY
Open Handicap
With only one favourite obliging and two 66/1 winners as well as two 28/1 winners this is clearly a tricky open handicap. Although only one favourite has won, three were runner up and two others placed.
Race and Festival Form is an interesting angle with horses that ran in the Grand Annual in the previous two years 4/11 | 42/217 | 9.5% and those that ran any Festival race in the previous two years 8/119 | 6/217 | 8.3%
PULSE VERDICT
Pulse Rate
Grand Annual experience last two years 4/11 | 42/217 | 9.5%
Pulse Stopper
Last time out winners 1/11 | 1/38 | 2.6%
Pulse Insight
Runners at 20/1+ are 5/112 | 4.5% | Profit of £103 to £1 level stakes
Pulse Edge
Runners in Grand Annual last two years 4/11 | 42/217 | 9.5%
ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026