Grand Annual Chase Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds (Cheltenham 2022 - DAY 2)
- Written by Simon Bettarini
The Grand Annual Chase has been moved to the Wednesday of Cheltenham Festival in 2022. 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 2022 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 2022?
BUDDY RICH finished runner-up to Third Time Lucki in a Novice Chase over this course and distance back in October. That's enough to make him the natepost favourite here.
AMARILLO SKY was mightily impressive when winning at Newbury in February, beating Shakem Up'Harry by ten lengths in a dominant display while SKY PIRATE had encouraging run when finishing third behind Shishkin and Greaneteen in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase.
THYME WHITE scored on the bridle at Doncaster two months ago, and could well have plenty more to offer over fences and represents a yard that has won the Grand Annual four times.
ANDY DUFRESNE will be the other Elliott-trained raider, and he warmed up for this event with a second placed finish behind Captain Guinness in a Grade 3 at Naas.
BEFORE MIDNIGHT has course & distance form having won at the October meeting, beating Sky Pirate in the process. He has since won a competitive handicap at Ascot, finished last of 4 to Shishkin in the Desert Orchid over Xmas and beaten a length by Funambule Sivola at Doncaster.
EMBITTERED fell in last year's renewal while travelling really well. This season, he won at Killarney, was beaten by a neck at Roscommon and then went on to win at Punchestown.
An easy winner over further at Kempton last month, ELIXIR DE NUTZ will take advantage of his great engine up the hill and could go well for a yard in great form.
This Venetia Williams-trained FRERO BANBOU has put in some great efforts recently under Charlie Deutsch, including winning as the favourite at Lingfield in January on heavy ground. Last time out he was second to the impressive Dolos and well ahead of other competitors taking to this field at Cheltenham.
Dark horses?
EDITEUR DU GITE is a progressive eight-year-old. He has won all four of his previous completed starts, including a handicap over the C&D in December by four lengths off a mark of 147.
POSEIDON finished second by half a length behind Embittered in Killarney last year. He was in the wrong half of the race behind Ciel De Neige at Punchestown last month but he could a contender on better ground.
FOR PLEASURE has fallen both at Warwick and Doncaster this season. He was fourth out of four in the Kingmaker last time out, fighting with top class competitors. On his day, he could run into the frame.
EXIT POLL managed to win a Grade 3 chase at Roscommon last season when beating Embittered. He disappointed when last seen at the Dublin Racing Festival, beaten by A Wave Of The Sea. Anyway, he can't be overlooked.
IL RIDOTO was held in high regard at the start of the season having romped to a fine Newbury win, and was then sent to the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown, but was no match for Edwardstone.
Other long shots that do catch the eye in the ante-post Grand Annual Chase betting line up are DANCING ON MY OWN, A WAVE OF THE SEA, FOR PLEASURE and GUMBALL.
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 17 favourites won
- Top weights have failed to win in the last 28 renewals
- 7 of the last 8 winners carried 11 stone+
- 8 of the last 10 winners did not win last time out - 7 had not even won that season
- 8 of the last 16 winners had run in the Grand Annual Chase previously
- 6 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham
- 10 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 2022. 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.
2022 GRAND ANNUAL CHASE FREE BETS
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2022 CHELTENHAM DAY 2 TIPS AND PREDICTIONS
Are you looking for all the 2022 Cheltenham predictions? Visit our Cheltenham betting tips section here!
2022 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 16, 2022 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 2022 Cheltenham Festival will be £111,000.
Who won the Grand Annual Chase last year?
Last year's renewal was won by Sky Pirate at SP of 14/1, trained by Jonjo O'Neil and ridden by Nick Scholfield.
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 22 runners in the last 10 years, one winning and six placing.
