Ladies Day | Wednesday 11th March 2026 | 4:40pm | 2m Premier Handicap Chase (Old Course)
Last updated: January 2026 | Data source: HorseRaceBase
The Grand Annual 2026 is a cavalry charge over 2 miles on the Old Course - 20 runners flying over 13 fences at a relentless pace. Our Grand Annual 2026 trends analysis reveals why favourites struggle, which trial paths produce winners, and why the 7th favourite has been the sweet spot in recent years.
💰 The Value Angle
7th favourite: 14% strike rate, +23 P/L
Market leaders (1st-2nd fav) = just 1 win from 19 runners (5%). Look mid-market!
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Grand Annual 2026: Recent Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | OR | Odds | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jazzy Matty | 6 | 135 | 15/2 | Collins |
| 2024 | Unexpected Party | 10 | 144 | 11/2F | Skelton |
| 2023 | Embittered | 7 | 147 | 22/1 | E Williams |
| 2022 | Ga Law | 7 | 138 | 16/1 | J Scott |
| 2021 | Sky Pirate | 8 | 147 | 40/1 | J Groucott |
⚠️ KEY INSIGHT: Average winner SP is 22/1 over 15 years! This is a race where big prices regularly land. The 2025 winner Jazzy Matty was 6yo, OR 135 - the EXACT sweet spot.
Grand Annual 2026: The Winner's Profile
Age (Last 15 Years)
| Age | Runners | Winners | Win% | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5yo ❌ | 5 | 0 | 0% | -5.00 |
| 6-7yo 🔥 | 30 | 5 | 17% | +7.50 |
| 8yo | 36 | 3 | 8% | +21.50 |
| 9yo | 22 | 2 | 9% | -3.00 |
| 10yo ⚠️ | 26 | 1 | 4% | +3.00 |
| 11yo+ ❌ | 3 | 0 | 0% | -3.00 |
✅ AGE SWEET SPOT: 6-7 year olds dominate with 17% strike rate. 5yo horses have NEVER won. 11yo have NEVER won. The 2025 winner was 6yo - prime age.
Market Position (Last 15 Years)
| Position | Runners | Winners | Win% | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st-2nd Fav ❌ | 19 | 1 | 5% | -7.50 |
| 3rd-5th Fav | 32 | 2 | 6% | -12.00 |
| 7th Fav 🔥🔥 | 22 | 3 | 14% | +23.00 |
| 8th-10th Fav | 30 | 2 | 7% | +18.00 |
💡 MID-MARKET VALUE: The 7th favourite has produced 3 winners from 22 runners (14% SR) for +23 P/L! Favourites struggle badly - just 5% strike rate for 1st-2nd fav combined.
Official Rating (Last 15 Years)
| OR Range | Runners | Winners | Win% | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 135-140 🔥 | 26 | 4 | 15% | +47.50 |
| 141-147 | 38 | 3 | 8% | +16.00 |
| 150+ ⚠️ | 43 | 2 | 5% | -34.00 |
Key finding: OR 135-140 is THE sweet spot with 15% strike rate and massive +47.50 P/L. The 2025 winner Jazzy Matty was OR 135 - right in the zone. High-rated horses (150+) struggle.
Last Time Out Position (Last 15 Years)
| LTO Position | Runners | Winners | Win% | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won LTO ❌ | 43 | 1 | 2% | -38.50 |
| 2nd LTO 🔥 | 41 | 3 | 7% | +49.50 |
| 3rd-4th LTO | 52 | 4 | 8% | +22.00 |
❌ LTO WINNERS STRUGGLE: Only 1 winner from 43 horses who won LTO! Winners DON'T arrive in top form. Horses who finished 2nd LTO = 3 wins, +49.50 P/L!
Grand Annual 2026 Key Trials: Where Winners Come From
Multiple trial pathways work for the Grand Annual - there's no single dominant route like some other Festival races. However, certain paths have produced consistent winners.
| Trial Race | Winners | Runners | P/L | 2025/26 Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandown HC (Scilly Isles) 🔥 | 2 | 13 | +16 | Gunsight Ridge (11/1) |
| Kingmaker Novices Chase 🔥 | 2 | 4 | +30 | Leau Du Sud (1/5F) |
| Dan Moore Memorial 🔥 | 2 | 3 | +19 | The King Of Prs (11/2) |
| Cheltenham Oct 2m HC | 1 | 2 | +10 | Calico (5/1) |
| Game Spirit Chase | 1 | 2 | +40 | TBC (Feb 2026) |
| Newbury HC (Nov) | 1 | 1 | +16 | Ryans Rocket (18/1) |
| Red Mills Trial Hurdle | 1 | 1 | +6 | Kitzbuhel (2/7F) |
✅ KEY TRIALS: Three routes stand out: Sandown HC (Scilly Isles day, Feb), Kingmaker Novices Chase (Warwick G2), and Dan Moore Memorial (Fairyhouse G3, Jan). Each has produced 2 winners with excellent P/L figures.
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Grand Annual 2026: Trainer & Jockey Stats (Last 15 Years)
Top Trainers
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Win% | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Cromwell 🔥 | 6 | 1 | 17% | +7.50 |
| Ben Pauling | 4 | 1 | 25% | +25.00 |
| Paul Nicholls | 15 | 2 | 13% | +22.50 |
| Dan Skelton | 12 | 1 | 8% | -2.00 |
💡 CROMWELL DOMINATED 2025: Gavin Cromwell had 1st (Jazzy Matty), 3rd (Midnight It Is) and 4th (My Mate Mozzie) in the 2025 Grand Annual. His 2026 runners deserve serious respect!
Top Jockeys
| Jockey | Rides | Wins | Win% | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Woods 🔥🔥 | 7 | 2 | 29% | +89.00 |
| Denis O'Keeffe | 5 | 1 | 20% | +18.00 |
| Harry Skelton | 9 | 1 | 11% | +4.00 |
Keith Woods = hidden gem: 29% strike rate and +89 P/L! Denis O'Keeffe also profitable. These conditional/claiming jockeys often ride big-priced winners.
Grand Annual 2025 Result
🏆 Grand Annual Chase 2025
1st: Jazzy Matty (15/2) - Collins/Gilligan - 6yo, OR 135, 10-7 - mid-division, headway 4 out, led last, stayed on well
2nd: Unexpected Party (11/2F) - Skelton/H Skelton - 10yo, OR 144 - close up, every chance 2 out, no extra
3rd: Midnight It Is (25/1) - Cromwell/Stone-Walsh - 9yo, OR 134 - held up, stayed on
4th: My Mate Mozzie (13/2) - Cromwell/O'Brien - 9yo, OR 151 - tracked leaders, weakened last
5th: Jasko Des Dames (20/1) - De Bromhead/O'Keeffe - 6yo, OR 136 - mid-division, kept on
Winner = PERFECT PROFILE: 6yo (peak age), OR 135 (sweet spot), mid-market (4th fav), 2nd LTO. Cromwell had 3 in first 4!
Grand Annual 2025/26 Season Trial Form
Dan Moore Memorial (11 Jan 2025) - KEY TRIAL 🔥
1st: The King Of Prs (11/2) - Cromwell - 7yo, OR 130 - stayed on to lead before last 🔥
2nd: Path Doroux (14/1) - Cromwell - 8yo, OR 142
3rd: Midnight It Is (7/1) - Cromwell - 9yo, OR 132 - this one ran 3rd in 2025 Grand Annual!
🎯 THE KING OF PRS ticks all boxes: 7yo, OR 130, WON key trial, CROMWELL trained (dominated 2025). Currently 25/1 - value play!
Cheltenham Oct 2m HC (24 Oct 2025)
1st: Calico (5/1) - Skelton/H Skelton - 9yo, OR 142 - won back-to-back at this course
2nd: Jasko Des Dames (9/4F) - De Bromhead/O'Keeffe - 6yo, OR 136 - CHELTENHAM COURSE WINNER 🔥
4th: Traprain Law (15/2) - L Russell - 7yo, OR 134 - outpaced from 4 out
Jasko Des Dames ran 5th in 2025 Grand Annual (6L off winner). Course form + perfect profile = key contender at 16/1.
Sandown HC (1 Feb 2025) - KEY TRIAL
1st: Gunsight Ridge (11/1) - O Murphy - 10yo, OR 142 - won well
2nd: Dr T J Eckleburg (8/1) - E Williams - 7yo, OR 124
3rd: Etalon (2/1JF) - Skelton - 8yo, OR 135 - led, headed 2 out
⚠️ Gunsight Ridge won this key trial but is NOW 10yo - age profile is against him (only 4% win rate for 10yo).
Newbury HC (29 Nov 2025)
1st: Ryans Rocket (18/1) - F O'Brien - 7yo, OR 129 - stayed on, led flat
2nd: Javert Allen (3/1F) - Mrs J Williams - 6yo, OR 126
Ryans Rocket = 7yo, low OR 129. Profile works if targeting Grand Annual.
Grand Annual 2026 Current Market (January 2026)
| Horse | Odds | Age | OR | Fits Trends? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only By Night | 12/1 | - | - | ❓ Unknown profile |
| Jazzy Matty | 14/1 | 7 | ~140 | ✅ Defending champ, age ok |
| Unexpected Party | 14/1 | 11 | 148 | ❌ 11yo (0 winners ever!) |
| Jasko Des Dames 🔥 | 16/1 | 7 | 136 | ✅ PERFECT PROFILE - Course form |
| Ryans Rocket | 16/1 | 7 | 129 | ✅ Profile works |
| Calico | 20/1 | 9 | 142 | ✅ Course specialist (won x2) |
| Traprain Law | 20/1 | 8 | 130 | ⚠️ No Cheltenham form |
| The King Of Prs 🔥 | 25/1 | 7 | 130 | ✅ KEY TRIAL WINNER - Cromwell |
| Midnight It Is | 25/1 | 10 | 134 | ⚠️ 10yo now, but course form |
| My Mate Mozzie | 25/1 | 10 | 151 | ⚠️ 10yo + high OR |
| Gunsight Ridge | 33/1 | 10 | 142 | ⚠️ Trial winner but 10yo |
| Rubaud | 50/1 | 7 | 149 | ⚠️ OR too high |
Grand Annual 2026: Key Contenders Analysis
JASKO DES DAMES (16/1) 🔥 - THE VALUE BET
TICKS EVERY BOX
✅ 7yo = peak age (17% SR)
✅ OR 136 = sweet spot range (135-140)
✅ 2nd Cheltenham Oct HC = COURSE WINNER
✅ De Bromhead/D O'Keeffe = both profitable in this race
✅ 5th 2025 Grand Annual = just 6L off winner
✅ Not a LTO winner = fits "2nd LTO" angle
VERDICT: Perfect profile. Proven Cheltenham form. Value at 16/1+. TOP PICK.
THE KING OF PRS (25/1) 🔥 - TRIAL WINNER
✅ WON Dan Moore Memorial = key trial (2 GA winners, +19 P/L)
✅ 7yo = perfect age
✅ OR 130 = well in range
✅ CROMWELL trained = dominated 2025 (1st, 3rd, 4th)
❌ 15th 2025 Grand Annual = flopped but has won since
VERDICT: Key trial winner from the yard that dominated 2025. Value at 25/1.
CALICO (20/1) - COURSE SPECIALIST
✅ Won Cheltenham Oct HC x2 = back-to-back course winner
✅ Harry Skelton = 11% SR, +4 P/L
⚠️ 9yo = just outside peak (8% SR but still profitable)
⚠️ OR 142 = creeping up
VERDICT: Loves this course. Age just acceptable. Solid each-way at 20/1.
UNEXPECTED PARTY (14/1) - AVOID ❌
✅ Won 2024, 2nd 2025 = course form
❌ NOW 11yo = 0 WINNERS EVER at this age!
❌ OR 148 = too high
❌ Form tailing off = PU Kelso Dec
VERDICT: AVOID. 11yo is a death angle. Price far too short for a horse with 0% historical chance.
Grand Annual 2026 Betting Strategy Summary
✅ BACK
- 6-7yo horses (17% SR)
- 7th favourite (14%, +23 P/L)
- OR 135-140 (15%, +47.50 P/L)
- 2nd LTO (+49.50 P/L)
- Dan Moore winners (2 wins, +19)
- Sandown HC runners (2 wins, +16)
- Cromwell runners (dominated 2025)
- Cheltenham course form
❌ AVOID
- 5yo (0 winners ever)
- 11yo+ (0 winners ever)
- 1st-2nd favourite (5% SR)
- Won LTO (2%, -38.50 P/L)
- OR 150+ (5%, -34 P/L)
- DRF Hcp Chase LTO (0/7)
- 8+ season runs (busy horses struggle)
🎯 Grand Annual 2026 Selections
TOP PICK: JASKO DES DAMES (16/1) - Perfect profile: 7yo, OR 136, Cheltenham course winner, De Bromhead/O'Keeffe. 5th in 2025 (6L off winner). Ticks every trend box.
VALUE PICK: THE KING OF PRS (25/1) - Won Dan Moore Memorial (key trial). 7yo, OR 130, Cromwell yard (dominated 2025). Flopped last year but has won since.
EACH-WAY: CALICO (20/1) - Back-to-back Cheltenham Oct HC winner. Course specialist. Age (9yo) just about acceptable.
❌ STRONG AVOID: UNEXPECTED PARTY (14/1) - 11yo = 0 winners EVER at this age. The trends could not be clearer. Price is far too short - should be 50/1+.
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Data source: HorseRaceBase Big Race Trends | Last updated: January 2026
Related: Arkle Chase Trends | Champion Chase Trends | DRF Cheltenham Guide | Festival Hub