Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

[Saxon Warrior]

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 18th

CHELTENHAM
Friday, March 13th

THE JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1)
(Grade 3)

TOTAL RACE VALUE £110,000
Distributed in accordance with Stakes and Prize Money Code £61,897 to the winning horse The second to receive £23,320, the third £11,671, the fourth £5,830, the fifth £2,926, the sixth £1,463, the seventh £726 and the eighth £374 for five yrs old and upwards

TWO MILES ABOUT HALF A FURLONG (2m 62yds)

Enter by noon, February 18th and pay £135 stake
Confirm by noon, March 7th and pay £415
Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 11th

Weights published on..........February 26th
Penalties, after February 23rd, 2020, a winner of a steeple chase 5lb
(No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)

PLEASE NOTE: A novice horse shall only be qualified to run in this race if it has run a minimum of three times in Steeple Chases in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Weights and Handicapping Code​

2020. Chosen Mate 7-11-4 7/2F. Gordon Elliott Davy Russell RPR 158
2019. Croco Bay. 12-10-12. 66/1 Ben Case. Kielan Woods. RPR 148
2018. Le Prezien. 7-11-8. 15/2. Paul Nicholls. Barry Geraghty. RPR 160
2017. Rock The World. 9-11-5. 10/1. Mrs JHarrington. Robbie Power RPR 156
2016. Solar Impulse. 6-11-0. 28/1 Paul Nicholls. Sam T-Davies. RPR 151
2015. Next Sensation. 8-11-2. 16/1. M. Scudamore T Scudamore. RPR 156
2014. Savello. 8-11-5. 16/1. A J Martin. Davy Russell. RPR 157
2013. Alderwood. 9-10-11. 3/1F. T. Mullins. A P McCoy. RPR 159
2012. Bellvano 8-10-2. 20/1. N. Henderson. Paul Carberry. RPR 150
2011. Oiseau De Nuit. 9-10-13. 40/1. Colin Tizzard. Mr S Clements(7) RPR 158
2010. Pigeon Island. 7-10-1. 16/1. Nigel T-Davies Paddy Brennan RPR 139


2020 1st OR 147, 2nd OR 149, 3rd OR 148 Highest OR 155, Lowest OR 140. 18 ran (max field 20)
2019 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 148, 3rd OR 136 Highest OR 153, Lowest OR 134. 20 ran
2018 1st OR 150, 2nd OR 152, 3rd OR 149 Highest OR 154, Lowest OR 139. 22 ran
2017 1st OR 147, 2nd OR 142, 3rd OR 141 Highest OR 154, Lowest OR 135. 24 ran
2016 1st OR 140, 2nd OR 137, 3rd OR 146 Highest OR 152, Lowest OR 137. 24 ran
2015 1st OR 143, 2nd OR 145, 3rd OR 149 Highest OR 153, Lowest OR 130. 20 ran
2014 1st OR 147, 2nd OR 138, 3rd OR 142 Highest OR 154, Lowest OR 136. 23 ran
2013 1st OR 140, 2nd OR 143, 3rd OR 149 Highest OR 155, Lowest OR 133. 21 ran
2012 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 149, 3rd OR 144 Highest OR 162, Lowest OR 136. 21 ran
2011 1st OR 145, 2nd OR 136, 3rd OR 139 Highest OR 151, Lowest OR 130. 23 ran
2010 1st OR 129, 2nd OR 154, 3rd OR 145 Highest OR 154, Lowest OR 129. 19 ran


Just to add that with changes made in the light off the 2018 race and two horse deaths, the field now has a maximum size of 20.

In the past it was always 24, with often horses pulled out on the day of the race as they may have already ran earlier in the week.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

Clondaw Castle is too big a price for me to ignore at 50/1 (can boost also), he's the one I've played so far.

 

[robith]

Must be close if this race thread is up!

Two things for me

I believe previously placed horses have a good record in this the last ten years

JP absolutely loves to win this race, but he's also had a fair few seconds and throws the sink at it

 

[Philg123]

Must be close if this race thread is up!

Two things for me

I believe previously placed horses have a good record in this the last ten years

JP absolutely loves to win this race, but he's also had a fair few seconds and throws the sink at it

Brelan Das wins all

 

[Pendil]

Clondaw Castle is too big a price for me to ignore at 50/1 (can boost also), he's the one I've played so far.

I see he entered on Saturday at Cheltenham. Again over 2 1/2ml and likely soft going. Horse wants bare 2ml and good to soft worst. Presume he is trying to get a few pounds off his OR if he runs. Interesting @ that price

 

[JackieMoon33]

I can't easily find my original post from a long time ago but Lisp is the only one on my current shortlist. he's not good enough for open Novice races at the festival but he's on a decent mark on his hurdles form and he was very consistent in big field handicaps. If they can get some improvement over fences he should be competitive and can handle the fast pace and hussle and bussle.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Looking back at previous winners, Magic Saint will have a huge task on his hands to win this off 155.

I had my eye on him but he's likely going to carry top weight if lining up.

 

[Pendil]

I can't easily find my original post from a long time ago but Lisp is the only one on my current shortlist. he's not good enough for open Novice races at the festival but he's on a decent mark on his hurdles form and he was very consistent in big field handicaps. If they can get some improvement over fences he should be competitive and can handle the fast pace and hussle and bussle.

He is entered for G2 novice chase at Donny on Saturday. He needs a 3rd chase run anyway for h/caps so will be interesting if he runs.

 

[JackieMoon33]

He is entered for G2 novice chase at Donny on Saturday. He needs a 3rd chase run anyway for h/caps so will be interesting if he runs.

Hiding in a graded race is a good way to keep the mark down.

 

[Philg123]

Hiding in a graded race is a good way to keep the mark down.

Thought he’d have a really good chance in the close brothers if he went there. Always like backing a horse that’s previously run in the race before.

 

[Eggs]

I can't easily find my original post from a long time ago but Lisp is the only one on my current shortlist. he's not good enough for open Novice races at the festival but he's on a decent mark on his hurdles form and he was very consistent in big field handicaps. If they can get some improvement over fences he should be competitive and can handle the fast pace and hussle and bussle.

...after his win at Fontwell (£50k Cheltenham bonus race), Tom Bellamy said his obvious target would be Close Bros but I know some on here think he’s a definite 2 miler. His win that day was impressive, I backed him in the ‘any race’ market @ 22-1. I don’t think he’s been out since.

 

[Stormez]

Clondaw castle 50/1 & not that fuisse 33/1 for me at the moment.

 

[JackieMoon33]

...after his win at Fontwell (£50k Cheltenham bonus race), Tom Bellamy said his obvious target would be Close Bros but I know some on here think he’s a definite 2 miler. His win that day was impressive, I backed him in the ‘any race’ market @ 22-1. I don’t think he’s been out since.

I think he’s a two miler but he could get the extra distance over fences potentially.

If he does run at Donny then it will mean his first attempt at 2m4f will be the festival. I’d have personally wanted proof he’ll stay before backing in the Close Bros. He’d also carry close to top weight in the Close whereas he’d have a nicer racing weight in the Grand Annual.

 

[Lostintranslation]

Quote Originally Posted by Lostintranslation View Post
Croco bay @ 50/1 for a repeat in the Grand annual surely worth a few quid each way.

A 13 y o. But only 41 career runs and only a couple of pounds higher than last year.
Thought it won snuggly from a good yardstick Bun Doran with rest well spread out.
Probably been laid out for the race again so at 50/1s worth a tickle.

ran a nice race today showing it still retains its ability at 13 y o.
hopefully they can run it again to negate the few pounds it will likely go up today.
anyway looks a no brainer eachway at 50s.

 

[ryanh97]

Coral have a special of Nicky Henderson to win this race @6/1. Good price, bad price, somewhere in the middle?

 

[Kevloaf]

Coral have a special of Nicky Henderson to win this race @6/1. Good price, bad price, somewhere in the middle?

My guess would be bad price this far out?

When ikt's NRNB you could back all hit entries and it'l probably work out better than 6/1?



What's he got, Theinval again?
Not Another Muddle was it last year?



He will obviously be targetting it though

 

[cwright23]

I had my eye on Le prezian again for this, ran in a hurdle race last time does anyone know if he’s sound ?

 

[Stormez]

My guess would be bad price this far out?

When ikt's NRNB you could back all hit entries and it'l probably work out better than 6/1?



What's he got, Theinval again?
Not Another Muddle was it last year?



He will obviously be targetting it though

Surprisingly just one in it last year, whatswrongwithyou. Not Another Muddle is Gary Moore’s.

 

[Kevloaf]

Surprisingly just one in it last year, whatswrongwithyou. Not Another Muddle is Gary Moore’s.

Yeah that's the one I meant. I backed those two and couldn't be bothered looking it up on my phone Haha

 

[Bonjers]

I had my eye on Le prezian again for this, ran in a hurdle race last time does anyone know if he’s sound ?

Out for the season. Did his tendon in that race.