Grand Annual Chase Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds (Cheltenham 2023 - DAY 2)
- Written by Simon Bettarini
The Grand Annual Chase has been moved to the Wednesday of Cheltenham Festival in 2023. It is the also the oldest race to be run during the four days. It is a class B grade 3 handicap chase run over two miles and 110 yards, open to 5 year old and older chasers. Jonjo O'Neill's Sky Pirate was a narrow winner of the 2021 Grand Annual, at odds of 14/1. Find below our Cheltenham 2023 Grand Annual Chase race preview, with odds, tips, predictions, trends, free bets and betting promotions.
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GRAND ANNUAL CHASE BETTING PREVIEW
The Grand Annual Chase (also known as the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase) has been moved to Day 2 after being the last race of the Festival for many years. It's a Grade 3 National Hunt chase, run over two miles and half-a-furlong, for horses aged five years and upwards, with a prize pure of £110,000. It is the shortest distance handicap chase run at the Festival, featuring 14 fences to be jumped.
A thrilling finale, with a huge field of two mile handicappers whizzing round. The betting is usually very competitive as it generally involves a lot of casual punters.
And now we take a closer look at this year's Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase and try to determine which horse is likely to prevail.
Who will win the Grand Annual Chase 2023?
DINOBLUE has not jumped particularly convincingly in her three starts over fences this season. Her most recent run came at Naas where she was firmly put in her place by Magic Daze. As to here Cheltenham record, she only finished 9th behind Love Envoi last year.
THIRD TIME LUCKY returned to winning form last time in the Dolos Handicap Chase at Sandown. Moreover, he is 2 from 2 in the last two Cheltenahm outings and only lost to Edwardstone to 4 1/4 lengths in the Warwick Kingmaker Novices’ Chase meaning he has finished out of the Top 3 in just two of his 10 runs over fences.
FINAL ORDERS is unbaten in his last five starts, and he has been raised twenty pounds in the ratings since November. He has never been to Cheltenham before, but the way he scored at Down Royal and Leopardstown (twice) in recent month indicates he can defy a career high mark.
ANDY DUFRESNE ran a blinder when second to Global Citizen in the Grand Annual Chase last year. The Gordon Elliott's charge returns to Cheltenham running off the same mark of 155 since his form this year has been absolutely deplorable.
COEUR SUBLIME finished seventh in last years' Arkle Challenge behind Edwardstone. He was underwhelming when odds on favorite at Naas last time out but could be a contender into this handicap company.
MAGIC DAZE beat this year's favorite Dinoblue when last seen in a listed mares race at Naas last month while BEFORE MIDNIGHT has produced three solid runs this season including twice at Ascot and then at Doncaster when third to Malystic. He has been kept fresh since then and we expect him to be in the mix. 
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Dark horses?
SAINT SEGAL couldn't finish off his race in the Boodles Handicap Hurdle 12 months ago. Since switching to fences, winning twice and finishing second in a red-hot handicap at Doncaster last time out.THYME WHITE ran a cracker on his return to action at Ascot in October. Anyway, he was not as good when fifth behind Boothill three weeks later. He could be a genuine contender on good ground.
ELIXIR DE NUTZ won a competitive handicap at Wincanton in January and almost trounced a high-quality field in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last time out, as he finished runner up, narrowly beaten by Funambule Sivola.
DADS LAD, ROUGE VIF, RED ROOKIE and RIVIERE D'ETEL are other horses with top 3 ambitions.
At the moment, the most backed horses are the following:
All the bookmakers we recommend are offering No Runner No Bet on every Cheltenham Festival race.
GRAND ANNUAL CHASE TRENDS
- Just 2 of the last 18 favourites won
- Top weights have failed to win in the last 29 renewals
- 7 of the last 9 winners carried 11 stone+
- 9 of the last 13 winners came from outside the top 5 in the betting
- 8 of the last 17 winners had run in the Grand Annual Chase previously
- 5 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham
- 9 of the last 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
GRAND ANNUAL CHASE PREDICTIONS
Find here our recommended bets on the Grand Annual Chase 2023. Feel free to copy our Cheltenham Festival betting tips and get the highest prices available on the market by clicking the 'Bet' button! You can also claim enhanced odds by visiting our today's price boosts offers here. Plus, we invite you to follow our Horse Racing Bet of the Day section.
2023 GRAND ANNUAL CHASE FREE BETS
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2023 CHELTENHAM DAY 2 TIPS AND PREDICTIONS
Are you looking for all the 2023 Cheltenham predictions? Visit our Cheltenham betting tips section here!
2023 GRAND ANNUAL CHASE FAQs
What time is the Grand Annual Chase?
The Grand Annual Chase is the sixth race run on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. That falls on Wednesday March 15, 2023 and the official starting time is 4:50pm.
How many obstacles are jumped in the Grand Annual Chase?
There are 14 obstacles to jump for the Grand Annual Chase runners
What is the distance of the Grand Annual Chase?
The Grand Annual Chase is run on a distance of 2 miles and 110 yards
What is the prize money for the Grand Annual Chase?
The total prize money on offer for the Grand Annual Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival will be £111,000.
Who won the Grand Annual Chase last year?
Last year's renewal was won by Global Citizen at SP of 28/1, trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Kielan Woods.
What weights are carried for the Grand Annual Chase?
As it is a traditional National Hunt handicap steeplechase, weights range from 11 st 12 lb for the top weight, to 10 st for the bottom weight.
Who is the leading jockey in the Grand Annual Chase?
Only Davy Russell (2) has won the Grand Annual more than once in the last 10 years. Graham Bradley, has ridden four winners (the last back in 1997).
Who is the leading trainer in the Grand Annual Chase?
Trainer Paul Nicholls has won this race four times in all, more than any other trainer. Nicky Henderson has saddled 16 runners in the last 10 years, five placing.
