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13:30Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
14:10Arkle Chase
14:50Ultima Handicap Chase
15:30Champion Hurdle
16:10Mares Hurdle
16:50Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
17:30National Hunt Chase
13:30Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
14:10Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
14:50Coral Cup Hurdle
15:30Champion Chase
16:10Cross Country Chase
16:50Grand Annual Chase
17:30Champion Bumper
Grand Annual Chase
16:50 Cheltenham Festival
2023-03-15
Winner: £70,337.5
Runners: 19
Going: Soft
No. of hurdles: 13
Distance: 1m7f199y
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase takes place at 4.50pm on day two. It is often run at a fierce gallop and attracts two-mile handicap specialists. Only two horses, Top Twenty and Dulwich, have won the race twice.
NO.DRAW
FORM
FORM
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HORSE
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ODDS
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JOCKEY& TRAINER
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AGE
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OR
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RPR
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20(0)
6/F1-5
The Last Day
-
J: Adam Wedge
T: Evan Williams
11
10-12
139
161
Ended last season with a win in Grade 3 handicap at Aintree (2m, good to soft; Dancing On My Own second); shaped as if needing the run when fading into a well-held fifth on his Sandown reappearance in January but he remains 6lb above that Aintree mark.
14(0)
35P493
Battleoverdoyen
-
J: Jordan Gainford
T: Gordon Elliott
10
11-3
144
163
Grade 1-winning novice but without a win since Galway festival success in 2021; not the force of old but his mark reflects that and his recent 4l third (Coeur Sublime second) in a 2m Naas Grade 3 was a step back in the right direction.
19(0)
31-P74
Global Citizen
-
J: Luca Morgan
T: Ben Pauling
11
10-12
139
162
Prominent racer who saw off Andy Dufresne to win this 12 months ago (heavy) off 3lb lower mark; nowhere near that form in three starts since but last month's run in the Kingwell should have sharpened him up and this has presumably been the plan all along; no surprise if he is back to his best.
15(0)
26-334
Before Midnight
-
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Sam Thomas
10
11-2
143
163
Has recorded creditable in-frame efforts on all three outings this term but his weak-finishing tendencies were once again in evidence when fourth to Malystic at Doncaster (2m, good) last time, fading having been a close second jumping the last; has a C&D win to his name but it was in a much smaller field than this; a first-time headgear combination (tongue-tie and cheekpieces) needs to help him find more at the business end.
7(0)
P-9212
Elixir De Nutz
-
J: Brendan Powell
T: Joe Tizzard
9
11-6
147
164
Took well to first-time cheekpieces in Class 2 handicap at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) in January, making all for an easy win; just as good when second of four in Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, good; Malystic fourth) since; also arrived in form for this race 12 months ago but was pulled up.
17(0)
-12956
Sizing Pottsie
-
J: Jack Tudor
T: David Pipe
9
10-13
140
162
Graded chase winner for Jessica Harrington last March; won a novice hurdle in October on debut for new yard; no show at Graded level back over fences the last twice but his mark has come down 9lb as a result and he could well revive with first-time cheekpieces added to his regular tongue-tie.
1(0)
2-F378
Andy Dufresne
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: Gordon Elliott
9
12-0
155
161
Not that easy to predict and his last two runs have been disappointing but he was second to Global Citizen in this race (on heavy ground) off an identical mark 12 months ago and this has presumably been the aim all season; taken to be back to form with a bang in a first-time tongue-strap.
2(0)
7-2F42
Coeur Sublime
-
J: Ben Harvey
T: Henry De Bromhead
8
11-12
153
163
Very talented but has a strike-rate of just 1-8 over fences and he was outbattled when turned over at odds-on in a Naas Grade 3 (2m, yielding) 17 days ago; it's not hard to envisage him travelling well for a long way but whether he gets up the hill is another matter.
NR(0)
F02-09
Dancing On My Own
-
T: Henry De Bromhead
9
11-3
144
160
Well beaten in this last year but showed he can mix it in competitive big-field handicaps when second to The Last Day at Aintree (2m, good to soft) last April off 3lb lower than today; nowhere near that level in two outings this winter (well behind stablemate Epson Du Houx latterly) but has presumably been targeted at the spring festivals again.
10(0)
-22315
Midnight Run
-
J: Michael O'Sullivan
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
9
11-5
146
157
Recorded some smart efforts in defeat before coming good at the eighth time of asking over fences when making all in Grade 2 at Punchestown (2m1f, yielding) in November; given a break since fading to finish a remote last of five in a Leopardstow n Grade 1 over Christmas; this is his first start in a handicap over fences.
5(0)
42P114
Malystic
-
J: Danny McMenamin
T: Peter Niven
9
11-8
149
159
Won Class 2 handicaps at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; Castleford Chase) and Doncaster (2m, good; defied top weight) in January/December; ran close to form when last of four in Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury since but Elixir De Nutz was ahead of him in second off levels and receives weight from him this time; looks vulnerable.
9(0)
/61-23
Epson Du Houx
-
J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead
9
11-6
147
154
Very lightly raced in recent seasons but he's shown enough to suggest he retains his ability in two outings this term, finishing 13l third of 11 in 2m1f Fairyhouse handicap (soft to heavy) latterly; hard to argue his mark looks generous but he's the mount of Rachael Blackmore from the Henry de Bromhead four.
4(0)
3-4631
Third Time Lucki
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
8
11-8
149
163
Has got back on track since having a second wind operation, building on an encouraging third at Warwick when winning a Sandown handicap (1m7f, good to soft) last month; has run well at this meeting before; considered.
8(0)
12F-15
Thyme White
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
7
11-6
147
160
Second-season chaser who readily won a Grade 3 Ascot handicap (2m1f, good; reappearance) in October; not in quite the same form when fifth of seven back there the following month; absent since but clearly capable when fresh; has won on soft but his peak RPRs have been achieved on good ground; yard has won this contest four times.
6(0)
F64P03
A Wave Of The Sea
-
J: Simon Torrens
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
7
11-7
148
154
Couldn't win the race for the third year running but performed well back down in trip when third of 12 to Final Orders at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) last month; 6lb better off with that rival now but been well beaten in handicap chases at the last two Festivals.
3(0)
211111
Final Orders
-
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
7
11-9
150
154
A revelation since switching to fences, completing a five-timer when keeping on strongly to land a big pot at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding; A Wave Of The Sea third) last month; a really smart effort will be needed to extend the winning run but it would be dangerous to rule out further progress the way his career has gone lately.
11(0)
511519
Dads Lad
-
J: Brian Hayes
T: W P Mullins
8
11-4
145
152
Took very well to fences in the first half of the season, including a success in C&D handicap (good; won a hurdle on soft) in October; never involved when reverting to hurdles in the Greatwood here in November but he has potential now back chasing after a break.
16(0)
F-4F10
Maskada
-
J: Darragh O'Keeffe
T: Henry De Bromhead
7
11-1
142
155
Every chance when she fell two out in a mares' handicap chase at Fairyhouse in December and backed that up strongly when a decisive winner at Limerick (extended 2m3f, heavy) over Christmas; that form is solid (runner-up Rebel Gold won twice since) but she was well held (not helped by a couple of mistakes) when favourite for a big-field handicap at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival (2m5f, yielding) since.
12(0)
1122F5
Call Me Lyreen
-
J: Sam Ewing
T: Gordon Elliott
7
11-4
145
153
Useful over hurdles; took well to fences in the first half of this season, winning at Kilbeggan and Wexford before narrowly denied in Galway Grade 3; however, his jumping let him down in the autumn when last seen and mistakes would likely be costly in a race like this; has done a lot of his recent racing on a sound surface but he won a Grade 2 hurdle in the mud at the start of his career.
18(0)
4-4122
Dinoblue
-
J: L P Dempsey
T: W P Mullins
6
10-13
140
160
Useful novice hurdler last term and has quickly made up into an even better chaser, winning a Cork contest then runner-up in a Grade 2 there and a Naas Listed event (all at 2m on yielding/soft); lacks the experience of many previous winners of this race but her jumping has looked sound and Chosen Mate landed the 2020 Grand Annual on his only his fourth chase start (and first in a handicap chase); has the potential to play a leading role.
RACING POST TIP
Dinoblue
JP McManus had a one-two in this back in 2013 and looks to hold a strong hand again. Dinoblue (second choice) has yet to experience the hurly-burly of a big-field handicap chase but her jumping has been sound in novice races and she's a very interesting contender. However, slight preference is for ANDY DUFRESNE, the mount of Mark Walsh. This selection has been well held on his last two starts but he found only Global Citizen too strong when a well-backed favourite for this last year and has presumably been primed for it again. He goes off the same mark as 12 months ago and can go one better with a tongue-tie added for the first time. Third Time Lucki and the thriving Final Orders are others with plenty to recommend them, while at likely longer odds Sizing Pottsie is worth a second look having dropped to an attractive mark judged on his best form.
Verdict
GRAND ANNUAL PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2022 | Global Citizen | 92023 | 10 | 28-1 | Ben Pauling | Keilan Woods |
| 2021 | Sky Pirate | 25112 | 8 | 14-1 | Jonjo O’Neill |
Nick Scholfield
|
| 2020 | Chosen Mate | 6-0341 | 7 | 7-2F | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell |
| 2019 | Croco Bay | 2-9835 | 12 | 66-1 | Ben Case | Kielan Woods |
| 2018 | Le Prezien | 8P-238 | 7 | 15-2 | Paul Nicholls |
Barry Geraghty
|
| 2017 | Rock The World | 7-2080 | 9 | 10-1 | Jessica Harrington | Robbie Power |
| 2016 | Solar Impulse | 263-3P | 6 | 28-1 | Paul Nicholls |
Sam Twiston-Davies
|
| 2015 | Next Sensation | 45-604 | 8 | 16-1 | Michael Scudamore |
Tom Scudamore
|
| 2014 | Savello | 1-3439 | 8 | 16-1 | Tony Martin | Davy Russell |
| 2013 | Alderwood | 1-S312 | 9 | 3-1F | Thomas Mullins | Tony McCoy |
GRAND ANNUAL KEY TRENDS AND STATS
- Distance winner, 10/10
- Carried no more than 11st 6lb, 9/10
- Top-three finish on at least one of last two starts, 9/10
- Aged nine or under, 8/10
- No more than 11 runs over fences, 8/10
- Had run at a previous festival, 7/10
- Officially rated 140 to 150, 7/10
- Yet to win that season, 7/10
- No more than four runs since August, 6/10
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - GRAND ANNUAL 2022
Ben Pauling added a third Cheltenham Festival win to his record as Global Citizen caused a shock in the Grand Annual. The 28-1 shot maintained his lead alongside the Gary Moore-trained Editeur Du Gite for the majority of the race, and the pair looked to have the beating of their rivals when turning for home. Global Citizen produced a powerful turn of foot after clearing the last fence to pull clear of Editeur Du Gite, who was tiring on the run to the line. Both Andy Dufresne and Frero Banbou found plenty to overtake him to finish second and third respectively, but Pauling’s charge had too much for his opposition as he sailed to a three-length success. It stopped the Irish running away with proceedings on day two as Global Citizen recorded a second win for the home side.