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13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
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15:20Ultima Handicap Chase
16:00Champion Hurdle
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13:20Turner's Novices' Hurdle
14:00Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
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15:20Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
16:00Champion Chase
16:40Grand Annual Chase
17:20Champion Bumper
Grand Annual Chase
16:40 Cheltenham Festival
2026-03-11
Winner: £84,405
Runners: 20
Going: Good
No. of hurdles: 13
Distance:
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase takes place at 4.40pm on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. 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
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2(0)
32-114
Calico
-
J: Tristan Durrell
T: Dan Skelton
10
11-12
153
155
10yo who has been better than ever this season, winning over C&D (good to soft) in October on his reappearance and following up at Ascot (2m1f, good to soft) in November, despite jumping to the left at that right-handed venue; heavy ground probably not ideal when respectable fourth of six in Grade 2 at Newbury last month; entitled to respect.
6(0)
F4-P53
Boothill
-
J: Bryan Carver
T: Harry Fry
11
11-4
145
160
Ascot specialist who ran really well when second to Jonbon in C&D Grade 2 (good) in November 2024; well handicapped on that form but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive this season; wind op needs to prompt a revival.
13(0)
8-529U
Martator
-
J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
9
10-12
139
160
Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces.
3(0)
-51132
Rubaud
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
8
11-7
148
157
Listed/Grade 2 wins over hurdles this term; goes back over fences for the first time since last May and he's 1-5 in this sphere, the win coming in a Grade 2 novice last February; sixth of 15 off this mark in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2024 when he last tackled a handicap; may be vulnerable.
12(0)
-25236
Special Cadeau
-
J: Mike O'Connor
T: Henry De Bromhead
8
11-0
141
156
0-6 since winning on chase debut last February; below par at Fairyhouse in November last time but the yielding to soft ground provides an excuse; good runs at Roscommon (2m, good to yielding) and Ascot (2m1f, good) previously in the autumn and he goes well fresh; has an each-way shout.
5(0)
3-F555
Inthepocket
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: Henry De Bromhead
9
11-5
146
163
Won Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; he's raced seven times since, all over fences, with just one win (a beginners chase in October 2024) and he can be difficult to settle; however, he took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 14 in a handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and is capable of building on that.
10(0)
5-8314
Western Diego
-
J: Brian Hayes
T: W P Mullins
9
11-0
141
154
Inconsistent and just one win from his eight chase starts but that came in a Grade 3 novice at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in January; weakened when fourth of 14 in handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and today's forecast better ground could help; looks the type who may prove well suited by this big-field scenario; not discounted for top Irish stable.
8(0)
6-P056
Jazzy Matty
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Cian Collins
7
11-2
143
157
8lb higher than when winning this last year (good to soft) and his subsequent form (chiefly over hurdles) hasn't been at the same level; however, he's had a wind op since last time and his 2-2 record at the Cheltenham Festival (also won the Fred Winter in 2023) means he's firmly in calculations.
15(0)
P-4P51
Personal Ambition
-
J: Kielan Woods
T: Ben Pauling
7
10-11
138
161
He's had jumping issues and should have won a Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot in December 2024 (2m3f, good to soft; bad mistake at final fence); beat just two rivals when getting off the mark in this sphere at Newbury (2m, soft) recently but that was still a very encouraging effort in first-time blinkers (retained); could make a bold bid if minimising the errors.
11(0)
1-0770
The Other Mozzie
-
J: Brian Hughes
T: L J Morgan
7
11-0
141
156
Won in good style for Gavin Cromwell at Ayr (2m, good to soft) last April and on that evidence this 3lb higher mark may not be beyond him; however, he was underwhelming on his final two runs for that yard and a major turnaround is needed on this stable debut, for which a tongue-tie goes on.
17(0)
-41472
Break My Soul
-
J: Conor Stone-Walsh
T: Ian Patrick Donoghue
7
10-9
136
155
Has failed to kick on since chase debut win at Gowran Park (2m, heavy) in November; however, the best run of her career came when fourth of five finishers in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, good to soft) last April and on that evidence there could be some mileage in her mark; not written off.
18(0)
F51254
Relieved Of Duties
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
7
10-9
136
161
Won on chase debut at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) in October and very creditable second in quality novice over this C&D (good to soft) 13 days later; well beaten both starts since but they have been on testing ground; could bounce back and play a leading role now he's back on a better surface.
1(0)
4-4232
Touch Me Not
-
J: James Smith
T: Gordon Elliott
7
12-0
155
160
Tailed off in last season's Arkle on sole visit here and has a lofty mark to defy; however, he won a Grade 2 novice chase last term and ran really well in second in a 2m Grade 3 at Naas recently when conceding 9lb to all of his rivals; James Smith removes 5lb; not ruled out each-way.
16(0)
5-5111
Jour d'Evasion
-
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Henry Daly
7
10-10
137
156
3-4 over fences, the wins coming over 2m1f/2m on heavy/good to soft; clearly knows how to get the job done and he's on an upward curve, but he's 5lb higher than for a narrow win in a small field at Warwick last time and today is a much tougher test of his credentials.
14(0)
231286
Ballysax Hank
-
J: James Bowen
T: Gavin Cromwell
7
10-12
139
156
5l win in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last July and went close in the American Grand National (2m5f, firm) in October; excuses on both winter starts (3m then soft ground); the drop back to 2m poses a question but the stiff track and strong pace will help; possible player.
20(0)
166-22
Release The Beast
-
J: Sean Flanagan
T: Paul Nolan
7
10-9
136
152
Second-season chaser who has shown improved form when runner-up on both starts this term, most recently second of 20 to Addragoole at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December; this unexposed 7yo could have even more to offer and might have a part to play; wears a first-time hood.
19(0)
5-0220
Jasko Des Dames
-
J: Darragh O'Keeffe
T: Henry De Bromhead
7
10-9
136
157
7l fifth in this last March (good to soft); runner-up on both starts in the autumn (including C&D) and soft ground may have been against him when down the field at Leopardstown (2m1f) last month; he's 5lb higher than 12 months ago but is not discounted each-way for his good Irish stable.
4(0)
8-1222
Be Aware
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
7
11-6
147
160
Improved form when winning on chase debut at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) in October and strong performances when runner-up in Graded races on his three starts since, including over C&D (soft); this lightly raced 7yo is in top hands and has the potential to be better than this mark now back in a handicap; the hood is left off today, but he ran well without it in December.
7(0)
321413
Addragoole
-
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
7
11-4
145
154
Switched to fences last August and he's been progressive, winning a competitive handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December and solid third of 14 there (2m1f, soft) last month; today's likely return to better ground could be a plus and this 7yo remains open to further improvement; chance.
9(0)
P-3211
Vanderpoel
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Ben Pauling
7
11-0
141
159
Won at Ascot (2m1f, soft) in December on third chase start and followed up at Sandown (1m7f, good) in January; those wins came in small fields and this is much more competitive, but this lightly raced 7yo did it convincingly both times and it remains to be seen where the ceiling of his ability lies.
RACING POST TIP
Relieved Of Duties
Last year's winner Jazzy Matty is 2-2 at the Cheltenham Festival and has to be feared but RELIEVED OF DUTIES is the selection now that he is back on better ground. He was runner-up in a C&D novice on good to soft going in October and that performance reads well in today's context. The 10yo Calico has thrived this season and is third choice, while his stablemate Be Aware and Irish contenders Inthepocket and Addragoole are others to consider.
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Cheltenham Festival Tips
2026 Cheltenham Festival tips from Racing Post Experts
GRAND ANNUAL PREVIOUS WINNERS
<
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2025 | Jazzy Matty | 3P122 | 6 | 15-2 | Cian Collins | Danny Gilligan |
| 2024 | Unexpected Party | -15549 | 9 | 12-1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2023 | Maskada | 4F10 | 7 | 22-1 | Henry De Bromhead | Darragh O’Keeffe |
| 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 |
GRAND ANNUAL KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- Distance winner, 9/10
- 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
Other factors
- Four winners had won at the course – three of the exceptions had been placed in this race previously.
- The record of the previous year’s winner is 090900372.
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - GRAND ANNUAL 2025
Jazzy Matty gained a second festival handicap win in the Grand Annual, having landed the Fred Winter in 2023. The Cian Collins-trained chaser moved smoothly into the lead two out and responded to pressure to beat last year’s winner Unexpected Party by a length and a half.