2024 Grand Annual Chase Tips: Odds, Trends, Favourites and More

Grand Annual Chase Tips

• The Grand Annual Chase, part of the Cheltenham Festival, is a historic race with its current format being a two-mile handicap chase featuring fourteen fences on the new course, after various modifications over the years.
• The Grand Annual Chase is set to take place Wednesday 13 March 2024 at 16:50 on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.
• Current favourites include frontrunner My Mate Mozzie followed by Saint Roi in our Cheltenham Festival odds.
• Potential outsiders that could rock the boat include Sa Fureur and Saint Felicien.
• Informed betting on the Grand Annual Chase involves analysis of race trends such as age, weight, and season form of horses, as well as historical performance at Cheltenham and recognising the unpredictability of the race with long-shot winners being common.

Grand Annual Chase Overview

The Grand Annual Chase, also known as the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, is a spectacle that dates back to 1834, making it the oldest race contested at the Cheltenham Festival. Its inaugural race was won by Mr R D’Oyley aboard Fugleman, and it drew an estimated 10,000 spectators, highlighting its early popularity. The race has had its share of ups and downs. Originally, this formidable challenge spanned over four miles and natural country obstacles before being shortened to the 2 miles and 110 yards it is today.

Notable figures have etched their names into the race’s history. For instance, Dulwich won back to back in 1974 and 1976 despite the Grand Annual being cancelled in 1975 due to a waterlogged track.

This race is not just about the thrill; it’s about understanding the trends, the horses, the jockeys, and applying this knowledge to make the most of your bet at Parimatch.

Our Grand Annual Chase Tips

Let’s take a look at our Grand Annual odds to parse the wheat from the chaff.

The Favourites

• My Mate Mozzie – priced at 5/1* (previously 8/1) and trained by Gavin Cromwell, this 8 year old placed 2nd at Leopardstown on boxing day and won at the Cheltenham track on 27 October last year.
• Saint Roi – priced at 8/1* and trained by Willie Mullins, this 9 year old last won a race at Leopardstown on boxing day 2022.

The Outsiders

• Sa Fureur – priced at 16/1* and trained by Gordon Elliott, this 7 year old most recently placed 2nd at Naas racecourse 12 January and won at Fairyhouse 16 December.
• Saint Felicien – priced at 10/1* and trained by Gordon Elliott, this 7 year old won at Gowran Park on 17 February, causing its odds to shift from 14/1* to 10/1* with this victory.

Key Trends and Insights

Taking a look at the key trends and insights is a crucial step towards making informed bets on the Grand Annual Chase. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Only 3 favourites have won the race over the last 20 renewals.
• The courses to produce the most winners are Sandown and Newbury, with 3 winners coming from each course.
• Where did the favourites place (latest to oldest)? 2, 2, F, 1, 10, F, 8, 3, (4, PU), (2, 3), 1, 12, 7, PU, 8, 2, 6, F, 14, 1

Success in the Grand Annual Chase often follows a strong previous run at Cheltenham. In fact, 15 of the past 18 winners of this race had run at the Cheltenham Festival before. Moreover, 9 of the last 12 winners had at least one previous course run and 4 having at least one win.

However, winning the previous race no matter the course before the Grand Annual Chase was not common among the last 15 winners, with only two having won their last race before the final race of the season, the Grand Annual Chase.

Odds and Big-Priced Winners

High-odds winners are fairly regular in the Grand Annual Chase. The longest shot in the past twenty renewals was by Croco Bay in 2019, with odds of 66/1, showing just how unpredictable this race can be and how it can shine a spotlight on overlooked runners. Last year’s winner, Maskada, at a starting price of 22/1 continues to prove this trend true.

Trainer and Jockey Insights

The success of horses in the Grand Annual Chase is significantly influenced by their trainers and jockeys. Notable trainers with previous success in this race include Paul Nicholls, with four wins, and Nicky Henderson, who has clocked in 2 victories. In recent years, the dominance of Irish trainers at the Cheltenham Festival has grown significantly, with trainers like Jonjo O’Neill and Gordon Elliott securing wins at the Grand Annual too.

For the 2024 Grand Annual Chase, the trainers and their contenders are:

• Willie Mullins trains Gaelic Warrior, a dark horse contender
• Henry de Bromhead prepares Maskada, a previous winner priced at 16/1 for a potential repeat
• Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero co-train Homme Public at 20/1 odds
• Sam England trains Al Zarquaan, an underdog at 33/1
• Ben Pauling’s Global Citizen, winner of the 2022 renewal, is at 25/1 odds

Featured Cheltenham Betting Tips

The role of horse racing tipsters can be a big help when you’re not sure where to place your bets. At Parimatch we’re giving out tips and betting analysis on all 28 Cheltenham races. These predictions and insights can serve to make informed decisions and help you gamble responsibly.

If you want more advice on responsible gambling, you can visit our Safer Gambling Portal or contact us for more info.

Cheltenham Festival Schedule and Highlights

The Cheltenham Festival, a four-day horse racing event, enthralls audiences with its diverse and intense races. Each day of the festival features a distinct set of races and highlight events. Key feature races at the festival include the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday and the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday, culminating in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Irish Dominance in Recent Years

Irish contenders have eclipsed their counterparts from Great Britain at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years, often clinching the Prestbury Cup for the highest number of races won by a country. In fact, the last time GB one was in 2015, and the only thing to break the Irish streak was a tie in 2019.

How to Bet on the Grand Annual Chase

While betting on the Grand Annual Chase can be both challenging and rewarding, it’s important to remember that upsets are common, with only one favourite winning this race in the last decade.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Grand Annual Chase?

The Grand Annual Chase is the oldest race at the Cheltenham Festival, dating back to 1834, and it is a handicap chase covering two miles and one hundred and ten yards, featuring fourteen fences on the new course at Cheltenham.

What are some key trends to consider when betting on the Grand Annual Chase?

When betting on the Grand Annual Chase, consider the age and weight of the horse, their season form, and previous race experience. High-odds winners are common, with most recent winners falling between 7 to 9 years old.

How important is previous race experience for the Grand Annual Chase?

Previous race experience at Cheltenham is highly important for success in the Grand Annual Chase, as 15 of the last 18 winners had run at the Cheltenham Festival before.

Who are some notable trainers and jockeys to watch out for in the Grand Annual Chase?

Notable trainers to watch out for in the Grand Annual Chase are Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Willie Mullins, and Gordon Elliott, who have all achieved significant success in the race. Keep an eye on their performance for valuable insights.

*All odds are correct at time of writing and are subject to change.