16:40 Cheltenham 11 Mar 2026
Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
Premier Handicap | GBB Race | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner £84,405 - 20 ran
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, going okay 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well, led near finish, all out
midfield, headway before 4 out, pressed leaders before 3 out, ridden and disputed lead before 2 out, led clearly approaching last, kept on run-in, headed near finish, rallied final strides, just failed
wore hood to post, midfield, headway 2 out, ridden and chased leader approaching last, kept on but lost second final 110yds
midfield, not fluent 1st, mistake 8th, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went fourth close home
midfield, in touch with leaders 9th, ridden and headway to dispute lead before 2 out, headed approaching last, faded run-in
wore hood to post, held up in rear, ridden and still plenty to do before 2 out, badly hampered last, kept on run-in, no danger
in touch with leaders, headway to dispute lead 4 out, led clearly 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, faded run-in
midfield, dropped to rear after 4 out, ridden and some headway 2 out, slightly hampered last, kept on same pace
briefly disputed lead when mistake 1st, soon dropped to midfield, ridden after 3 out, not fluent last, faded run-in
wore hood to post, midfield, ridden after 3 out, hampered 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last where slightly hampered
in touch with leaders, not fluent 4 out, lost position and ridden after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression approaching last
wore hood to post, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, close up 4th, led 8th, disputed lead 9th, slow and headed 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out where slightly hampered
wore hood to post, close up, disputed lead 9th, awkward and headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly
disputed lead, headed 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up after 2 out
wore hood to post, held up in rear, pecked 1st, headway after 3 out, going okay when fell 2 out
held up in midfield, headway 3 out, in touch and ridden before 2 out, fourth when fell last
slowly away, held up in rear, fell 3 out
in touch with leaders, led narrowly 3rd, not fluent 6th, mistake and headed 8th, slow 9th, soon weakened and pulled up
in touch with leaders, not fluent 9th, soon dropped to rear, pulled up after 4 out
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £520.74 (13, 8) |
| Tricast | £10,633.20 (13, 8, 17) |
| Win | £169.70 (13) |
| Place | £21.80 (13), £2.00 (8), £4.30 (17), £2.70 (20) |
| Swinger | £184.90 (8, 13), £41.70 (8, 17), £461.70 (13, 17) |
| Exacta | £1,276.30 (13, 8) |
| Trifecta | £50,250.00 (13, 8, 17) |
Expert Analysis
Compared with the Champion Chase this was only a steadily-run race with a stronger finish from three out to the winning post. Martator made up the best part of two seconds on Il Etait Temps from three out to finish ‘level’ with the Champion Chase winner when comparing the pair from their respective first fences.
MARTATOR In contrast to most races on the opening two days this winner was close to the back of this 20 strong field when jumping the first fence. He remained towards the rear for much of this contest and only began to make significant ground up on the leading group on the approach to the third last fence. He was pushed wide entering the home straight before being switched close to the inside rail to make his challenge.
Venetia Williams has endured a particularly tough season so it was wonderful to see Martator poke his head in front right on the line. He has been raised to 144 and can remain competitive off that sort of mark assuming these first time blinkers can work again on another day.
JAZZY MATTY He was only beaten by a nose in his attempt to win at three Cheltenham Festivals. This was still an incredible effort and he remains a horse to seriously markup when he returns here as an eight year old in March 2027. He has been raised just 2lbs for this narrowest of defeats and so it will be interesting to see how he is campaigned in the next 11 months on his way to a likely third attempt at the Grand Annual.
BREAK MY SOUL The handicapper appears to have been particularly lenient with the beaten horses here. She was only raised a pound despite staying on strongly in the finish to go down by less than a length at the line whilst finishing well clear of the rest.
RELEASE THE BEAST I thought the Paul Nolan horses were generally in good form at this festival and this seven-year-old ran as well as any. He hit the eighth fence particularly hard but for which he may have finished closer to the front three horses at the line.
JASKO DES DAMES Another strong performance from a Henry De Bromhead horse at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. He finished second over this course and distance in October and was also fifth in the 2025 renewal of this race. I think it is fair to suggest that on all three occasions he has failed to convince that the final hill from the last to the line plays to his strengths.
BALLYSAX HANK He has now performed to a good level on both occasions he has been aimed at handicap chases in Britain. Perhaps he would have finished closer still but for being hampered by the faller at the final fence. His profile suggests that this faster ground suits him best.
VANDERPOEL This was another strong effort from this progressive chaser as he only gave best from the second last fence. Perhaps his connections will feel that his comfortable success at Sandown in early January proved very costly here. The handicapper raised him 7lbs for that four and a quarter length success which may have made a difference here.
BOOTHILL This eighth place finish represents his best run in a long time. Hopefully he can build on the promise of this performance next time out. The handicapper has played his or her part by dropping him another 4lbs to a mark of 141. The Red Rum at Aintree would be the obvious next step for him.
BE AWARE After being backed down to the 100/30 favourite, he raced in a keen manner in the early stages and never really looked a threat from thereon in.
INTHEPOCKET He was short of room coming down the hill and was switched to the inside as a consequence. He was in the process of running a nice race without appearing likely to trouble the front three horses when crashing out at the second last fence.
WESTERN DIEGO He was right up with the leaders and seemed to be just beginning to get the worst of that argument when coming down at the final fence. This was still a very positive performance from this nine year old.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Soft | 20 | Jazzy Matty | 6 | 10 7 | 135 | 13P122 | 52 days | C Collins | Danny Gilligan | 15/ 2 | 3:59.51 | |
| 2024 | Soft | 16 | Unexpected Party | 9 | 10 10 | 138 | 3-15549 | 46 days | D Skelton (27 miles) | Harry Skelton | 12/ 1 | 4:12.76 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 19 | Maskada | 7 | 11 1 | 142 | 3F-4F10 | 38 days | H De Bromhead | Darragh O'Keeffe | 22/ 1 | 4:03.00 | |
| 2022 | Heavy | 16 | Global Citizen | 10 | 10 6 | 136 | P-92023 | 39 days | B Pauling (17 miles) | Kielan Woods | 28/ 1 | 4:12.98 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 19 | Sky Pirate | 8 | 11 6 | 152 | 2-25112 | 30 days | J & A O'Neill (1 miles) | Nick Scholfield | 14/ 1 | 3:55.44 | |
| 2020 | Good to Soft | 18 | Chosen Mate | 7 | 11 4 | 147 | 630341 | 50 days | G Elliott | Davy Russell | 7/ 2 | 4:07.90 | |
| 2019 | Good to Soft | 19 | Croco Bay | 12 | 10 12 | 139 | U9835-2 | 227 days | B I Case (43 miles) | Kielan Woods | 66/ 1 | 4:05.29 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 22 | Le Prezien | 7 | 11 8 | 150 | 38P-238 | 90 days | P F Nicholls (69 miles) | B J Geraghty | 15/ 2 | 4:21.80 | |
| 2017 | Good | 24 | Rock The World | 9 | 11 5 | 147 | 222080 | 146 days | Mrs J Harrington | Robbie Power | 10/ 1 | 4:01.40 | |
| 2016 | Good | 24 | Solar Impulse | 6 | 11 0 | 140 | 2263-3P | 92 days | P F Nicholls (69 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 28/ 1 | 3:59.20 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 20 | Next Sensation | 8 | 11 2 | 143 | 145-604 | 104 days | M Scudamore (23 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 16/ 1 | 4:09.30 | |
| 2014 | Good | 23 | Savello | 8 | 11 5 | 147 | 11-3439 | 54 days | A J Martin | Davy Russell | 16/ 1 | 4:01.30 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 23 | Alderwood | 9 | 10 11 | 140 | 11-S312 | 40 days | T Mullins | A P McCoy | 3/ 1 | 4:17.60 | |
| 2012 | Good | 21 | Bellvano | 8 | 10 2 | 138 | 2P-1621 | 30 days | N J Henderson (51 miles) | Paul Carberry | 20/ 1 | 3:58.00 | |
| 2011 | Good | 23 | Oiseau de Nuit | 9 | 11 6 | 145 | 2-U6483 | 28 days | C L Tizzard (83 miles) | Mr S Clements | 40/ 1 | 3:52.80 | |
| 2010 | Good to Soft | 19 | Pigeon Island | 7 | 10 1 | 129 | F222F5 | 34 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (1 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 16/ 1 | 4:07.60 | |
| 2009 | Good to Soft | 18 | Oh Crick | 6 | 10 0 | 130 | 1423F2 | 26 days | A King (44 miles) | Wayne Hutchinson | 7/ 1 | 4:07.50 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 17 | Tiger Cry | 10 | 10 6 | 134 | P4P-836 | 33 days | A L T Moore | Davy Russell | 15/ 2 | 4:10.60 | |
| 2007 | Good to Soft | 24 | Andreas | 7 | 10 11 | 143 | 1F3-333 | 41 days | P F Nicholls (69 miles) | R Thornton | 12/ 1 | 3:57.00 | |
| 2006 | Good | 24 | Greenhope | 8 | 10 11 | 132 | 02163-5 | 13 days | N J Henderson (51 miles) | Andrew Tinkler | 20/ 1 | 3:55.40 |
