Another fiendishly tricky handicap to solve at Cheltenham, where 20/1 shot Maskada came out on top for trainer Henry De Bromhead in 2023. Trainer JP McManus has won the race with Le Prezien, Alderwood and Bellvano in the last ten years and could make it into the winners’ enclosure this year with either Saint Roi or In Excelsis Deo.
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
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Saint RoiJ: Mark WalshT: W P MullinsResult6th13/2 -
Result7th9/1
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Result11th14/1
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Result4th7/1
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Result9th7/1
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Result10th16/1
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Result3rd10/1
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Result12th8/1
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Result2nd5/1
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Result1st14/1
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Result8th25/1
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Result5th33/1
Latest Grand Annual Chase odds
The Grand Annual betting market is headed by a novice in the shape of My Mate Mozzie. Gavin Cromwell’s eight-year-old won on the bridle at the track earlier this season and was most recently second in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown. He also has the option of contesting the Arkle on day one.
Willie Mullins’ Grade 1 winner Saint Roi would be dropping into handicap company for the first time over fences off a mark of 152. He has been lost in open Grade 1 races this term, but could find himself well-handicapped at his best.
Madara went across to win at the Dublin Racing Festival for Sophie Leech and represents a strong home hope, as does Libberty Hunter, who is on a hat-trick for Evan Williams.
Grand Annual Chase Odds and Entries 2024
We still do not know which horses will make up the field for the 2024 Grand Annual Handicap Chase. The likes of Saint Roi, My Mate Mozzie and Madara are all prominent in the betting, but require entering and declaring for the race before they are guaranteed to run.
Betting on the Grand Annual Chase
The Grand Annual Chase is one of the most competitive handicaps at the Cheltenham. Notable past winners include dual Champion Chaser Pearlyman (1986) and Champion Chase and King George VI Chase winner Edredon Bleu (1998).
There have only been two winning favourites in the Grand Annual Chase betting in the past twelve seasons with Alderwood (2013) and Chosen Mate (2020). There have been plenty of shock results with an average winning SP of over 20-1 during that period. The longest priced winner was 66-1 chance Croco Bay in 2019 while Oiseau De Nuit returned at 40-1 in 2011.
Any runners from the Paul Nicholls stable are worth a second look if you are having a bet on the Grand Annual Chase. He has won it on a record four occasions; St Pirran (2004), Andreas (2007), Solar Impulse (2016) and Le Prezien (2018).
The ante-post Cheltenham betting on the Grand Annual Chase can fluctuate wildly with a huge list of early entries. The connections of many fancied runners can face an anxious race to see if they make the cut so it is definitely a race on which to take the “non-runner – no bet” concession. Bookmakers also offer enhanced each-way terms on the Grand Annual, sometimes paying out on fifth or even sixth place.
Grand Annual Chase News
The entries for the Grand Annual will be coming out very soon. When this occurs, we will give you the lowdown on the key entries, as the favourites and outsiders will soon begin to take shape.