Day Two - 16:40

Grand Annual Chase

Grand Annual Chase Betting Odds

The oldest race at the Cheltenham Festival and still going strong… this is the Grand Annual Chase.

A Premier Handicap National Hunt Steeplechase exclusive to horses aged five years or older, it is run over a distance just short of two miles (1m 7f 199yd) and features 14 fences.

Those that win the Grand Annual Chase more than earn their stripes given how fiercely competitive this race is. Indeed it was 12/1 outsider Unexpected Party, ridden by Harry Skelton, who took home the prize in 2024 in a highly entertaining contest.

Who comes out on top this year is for you to predict at BetMGM – explore our Grand Annual Chase betting odds to learn more.

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History of the Grand Annual Chase

The first Grand Annual Chase took place in April 1834, making it the oldest race at Cheltenham and in the present National Hunt calendar.

While the race was discontinued in the 1860s it was revived at the turn of the century, moving from several different venues such as Melton Mowbray, Leicester and Warwick before returning to Cheltenham in 1913.

The Grand Annual Chase was originally the final race of the Cheltenham Festival but was later moved to Style Wednesday back in 2021 where it has remained since. It earned Premier Handicap status in 2023 having held Grade 3 status prior.

Top Twenty and Dulwich currently share the honour of the most successful horse in the competition having both won twice. Dulwich was the second of the two to complete this feat and that was back in 1976. No horse has matched this achievement since.

Graham Bradley currently holds the record for the most successful jockey with four wins. Bradley rode a different horse to each of these victories starting with Pearlyman in 1986 and ending with Uncle Ernie in 1997.

When is the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham?

The Grand Annual Chase is set to take place at 16:40 on 12th March and is the second to last race on day two of the festival, sandwiched between the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at 16:00 and the 17:20 Champion Bumper.

See our Grand Annual Chase betting odds for all of our latest prices. For show-stopping insight on all the races taking place throughout the festival, including our picks for every race, check out our Cheltenham Festival betting tips pages and previews from ambassador Megan Nicholls.

Are you ready for the greatest show on turf, Vegas-style?