Race Conditions
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (4:40pm) is a Class A Grade 3 chase run over two miles and about half a furlong. It is open to horses aged five years old and upwards.
Recent Winners
Fancied horses have a good record in the Grand Annual Chase, with nine of the last twelve renewals being won by horses who started at 8/1 or shorter. The record of novices in the race is also notable.
Despite not being the most glamorous event run at the Festival, the race has thrown up some classy winners, who have gone on to achieve bigger and better things. Edredon Bleu and Pearlyman, for example, followed their triumphs in this race with successes later on in their careers in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The name of the race was extended in 2006 to commemorate the life of Johnny Henderson, so how appropriate it was for his son Nicky to train the winner of the 2006 race.
WANANGO has this race as its likely next target. Owned by J. P McManus and trained by Tommy Stack in Ireland, this horse proved back to his best when romping home by 13 lengths over PATMAN DU CHARMIL in a £15,845 race over 2 miles at Uttoxeter on Sat 16 Feb on Gd/Sft.
"He's made for Cheltenham and similar ground to today will be perfect" - Paddy Crowe (trainers representative).
Key Trends
Novices have won 9 of the last 26 renewals.
28 of the last 33 renewals were won by horses that started at no bigger then 10/1. - cheltenhamfestival.net
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