2026 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase

[Eggs]

ENTRIES FEBRUARY 17th, WEIGHTS 24th FEBRUARY


CHELTENHAM
Wednesday, March 11TH

THE JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1)
(Premier Hcap)

For five yrs old and upwards

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

Penalties, after February 22nd, 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 FOUR times in Steeple Chases in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Weights and Handicapping Code

2025 Jazzy Matty 6-10-7 15/2 Cian Collins - Danny Gilligan RPR 142
2024. Unexpected Party 9-10-10 12/1 Dan Skelton - Harry Skelton RPR 149

2023. Maskada (MARE) 7-11-1 22/1 H. de Bromhead - Darragh O'Keefe RPR 155

2022. Global Citizen 10-10-6 28/1 Ben Pauling - Kielan Woods RPR 146

2021. Sky Pirate 8-11-6 14/1, Jonjo O'Neill - Nick Scholfield RPR 159

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


2025 1st OR 135, 2nd OR 144, 3rd OR 134, 4th OR 151 - High OR 156 Low OR 130 20 ran
2024 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 139, 3rd OR 142, 4th OR 145 - High 152, Low 132 16 ran
2023 1st OR 142, 2nd OR 140, 3rd OR 139, 4th OR 149 - High 155, Low OR 139 19 ran
2022 1st OR 136, 2nd OR 155, 3rd OR 141, 4th OR 153 - High 156, Low OR 136 16 ran
2021 1st OR 152, 2nd OR 143, 3rd OR 154, 4th OR 140 - High 158, Low OR 136. 19 ran
2020 1st OR 147, 2nd OR 149, 3rd OR 148, 4th OR 150 - High 155, Low OR 140. 18 ran
-----------------maximum field reduced to 20 -----------------------------------------
2019 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 148, 3rd OR 136, 4th OR 153 - High 153, Low OR 134. 20 ran
2018 1st OR 150, 2nd OR 152, 3rd OR 149, 4th OR 141 - High 154, Low OR 139. 22 ran
2017 1st OR 147, 2nd OR 142, 3rd OR 141, 4th OR 143 - High 154, Low OR 135. 24 ran
2016 1st OR 140, 2nd OR 137, 3rd OR 146, 4th OR 150 - High 152, Low OR 137. 24 ran
2015 1st OR 143, 2nd OR 145, 3rd OR 149, 4th OR 142 - High 153, Low OR 130. 20 ran
2014 1st OR 147, 2nd OR 138, 3rd OR 142, 4th OR 142 - High 154, Low OR 136. 23 ran
--------

….2026 TREND ANALYSIS for reference;

15 of the last 17 winners aged from six to nine years​

Only three winners since 1997 older than nine​

14 of the last 15 rated between 136 and 152​

This century only three winners with more than 12 chase runs​

13 of last 17 novices or second season chasers​

Five of the last six at least five runs that season​

Only one conditional jockey winner this century​

Only two since 2004 already won a h'cap chase that season​

Only two of the last 22 won last time out​

No repeat winners since Top Twenty in 1959.​

Three of the last six were novices.​

One winning fav since Alderwood 2013​

17 of the last 21 had run at a previous Festival. Only two won​

Since 2006 previous year's returning favourite is three from ten.​

Only four winners this century had won a chase over further than 2m 3f​

Last 14 not seen out for at least 30 days​

Only five of the last 27 wearing any sort of headgear​

W Mullins is 0-9 this century​

Summary​

Race Distance - 2 miles and about half a furlong. Numbers allowed to run cut from 24 to 20 in 2019.

REMEMBER - THIS RACE WAS MOVED in 2021 FROM THE NEW COURSE TO THE OLD COURSE. TAKE FROM THE TRENDS WHAT YOU WISH. Also the number of qualifying runs for novices now up to five.

Winner will be aged 6 to 9 years except if older will have been already been placed in this. BHA rated between 135 and 152. Either a course winner or ran at a previous Festival, or the trainer/jockey is having a good week. Novice not rated above 147. Should have finished in the first three in one of the last two starts or placed in this last year. Does not run under a penalty. Has not more than 12 previous runs over fences or previously placed in this. Unlikely to have run more than 4 times over fences since August. Irish-trained punch above their numbers. Not ridden by a conditional jockey. JP McManus very much involved but has been stung. Should have won over the trip. Check for fancied horses in previous renewals. Not last year's winner. Unlikely to have won a handicap chase this season and h'cap mark has not moved up by much since Oct. Not seen for at least 30 days. Any price but another short one due. Headgear?

 

[Eggs]

Reserved for entries and weights.

 

[jrjr]

Not got involved in this race yet but couldn't resist Hills 40/1 NRNB on King of Kingsfield. Gordon mentioned several races for him in a recent update and he is also entered in the Plate and the JR, however, I like him over the 2m distance - with a bit of stamina to get up the hill.

Hits a lot of the trends for this race including a sighter round the Old course over 2m back in October, which hints at this being his target. Been put away since November so will come here refreshed after a busy enough summer/autumn.

 

[Kauto’s star]

Not got involved in this race yet but couldn't resist Hills 40/1 NRNB on King of Kingsfield. Gordon mentioned several races for him in a recent update and he is also entered in the Plate and the JR, however, I like him over the 2m distance - with a bit of stamina to get up the hill.

Hits a lot of the trends for this race including a sighter round the Old course over 2m back in October, which hints at this being his target. Been put away since November so will come here refreshed after a busy enough summer/autumn.

I’ve been waiting for hills to price him up. He’s 40s and 50s across each of the three races. May have a small cover nrnb for all three as I like him too.

 

[Quevega]

I’ve been waiting for hills to price him up. He’s 40s and 50s across each of the three races. May have a small cover nrnb for all three as I like him too.

Yeah.
I cashed previous bets at 25's and re bet for GA and plate.
Jack Richards looks a hot race, so will hold fire on that one personally.

 

[Yosser]

Interesting. I hadn't considered him. Bit low in the ratings going on past winners, however that could be intentional. I like it though. The type of horse i would want to see going from the front.

 

[Eggs]

Not got involved in this race yet but couldn't resist Hills 40/1 NRNB on King of Kingsfield. Gordon mentioned several races for him in a recent update and he is also entered in the Plate and the JR, however, I like him over the 2m distance - with a bit of stamina to get up the hill.

Hits a lot of the trends for this race including a sighter round the Old course over 2m back in October, which hints at this being his target. Been put away since November so will come here refreshed after a busy enough summer/autumn.

….thanks for highlighting, not a race I’ve got involved in but followed you in on King of Kingsfield (and for the Plate @Quevega), Hills out on a limb with those prices, as low as 14-1 Plate.

(Edit; just noticed Hills have caved in, now 25s GA).

 

[Quevega]

Interesting. I hadn't considered him. Bit low in the ratings going on past winners, however that could be intentional. I like it though. The type of horse i would want to see going from the front.

He's not low though is he ?
compared to recent winners.

 

[Yosser]

He's not low though is he ?
compared to recent winners.

Shit, yep sorry, you're correct. I was looking at RPR's

Your fave

 

[Exar Essay]

This isn't a race that's really sparked my interest this year. They all look exposed enough at the top of the market. KoK, mentioned above, did interest me slightly, but I'd prefer him over 2m4, I think.

However, I see that today, the HRI has knocked 5lb off Captain Guinness' mark. He is now 152 (IRE). Given that the British capper tends not to penalise the Irish chasers as much as he does their hurdlers, I think there's a chance he might get a similar mark, perhaps a lb or two extra. If he did, and on drying ground, he'd be very interesting. It wouldn't be the first time that Henry has primed one from left field and under the radar for a race like this.

33/1 NRNB is worth a poke for me in a race I've nothing in, anyway.

 

[Can't Catch Me]

Delighted with Inthepocket's mark... one of the few Irish raiders to have stayed on the same as his Irish equivalent.

Ran a cracker in the Supreme and proved his liking for decent spring ground shortly after when winning impressively at Aintree. Has obviously had his issues since, but travelled with plenty of zest last time before being giving an easy time of it after the last. Will be 11lb's better off with Jacob's Ladder who is near enough fav. Topped up at 25/1 earlier on. Think this race will be absolutely tailor made for him as he has a very high cruising speed.

 

[riccirich]

Delighted with Inthepocket's mark... one of the few Irish raiders to have stayed on the same as his Irish equivalent.

Ran a cracker in the Supreme and proved his liking for decent spring ground shortly after when winning impressively at Aintree. Has obviously had his issues since, but travelled with plenty of zest last time before being giving an easy time of it after the last. Will be 11lb's better off with Jacob's Ladder who is near enough fav. Topped up at 25/1 earlier on. Think this race will be absolutely tailor made for him as he has a very high cruising speed.

Anything been said about him actually going over?

Was trying to find a comment from de bromhead in his stable tours but couldn't find anything.

 

[Can't Catch Me]

Anything been said about him actually going over?

Was trying to find a comment from de bromhead in his stable tours but couldn't find anything.

Yes was on the Nick Luck podcast last week and seemed to suggest he was coming over as said something along the lines of 'festival ground suiting him'... he was fairly lowkey in his comments and said very little else... which i took as a positive!

 

[Luke95]

Actually liked the look of another of De Bromheads - Jasko Des Dames.

Good run in 2nd behind Calico at the October meeting who has boosted the form with another win in a big handicap and solid enough run in the Game Spirit. Ran off 136 that day and thought he’d be given a few pounds at least given the race has worked out quite well, but has been kept on the same mark.

Had a poor run on softish ground at Leopardstown since and probably wants better ground so will keep an eye on the weather, but have taken the 16/1 nrnb.

 

[Can't Catch Me]

Looking like a Henry DeBenefit race

 

[Kauto’s star]

Yes was on the Nick Luck podcast last week and seemed to suggest he was coming over as said something along the lines of 'festival ground suiting him'... he was fairly lowkey in his comments and said very little else... which i took as a positive!

Always cautious with Henry’s interviews after he said last Feb that air of entitlement wouldn’t be going over…..all us fav backers know how that panned out

 

[Killiney]

Always cautious with Henry’s interviews after he said last Feb that air of entitlement wouldn’t be going over…..all us fav backers know how that panned out

I thought A of E would have had a good chance in the Mares and took done fancy prices last March based on the festival form. Mixed feelings about this ‘Lazarus’ type reappearance but if showing her old form she would surely have a good chance here.

 

[Istabraq]

Davids Well a NR here, 365 still had cashout up a short while ago...

 

[Kauto’s star]

I thought A of E would have had a good chance in the Mares and took done fancy prices last March based on the festival form. Mixed feelings about this ‘Lazarus’ type reappearance but if showing her old form she would surely have a good chance here.

That’s what annoyed the hell out of me. I fancied A of E too (despite the PTP form which is usually not great for this race). Saw his interview and didn’t back her….the rest was history…..still fuming, can you tell

 

[YoungHustler]

Davids Well a NR here, 365 still had cashout up a short while ago...

Has something been said? I really liked him for this.