16:40 Cheltenham Tips: Party is very much expected in Grand Annual Handicap Chase

It's day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and the Grand Annual is one of the main betting races on the card. 

Run over the same course and distance as the feature Champion Chase, the Grand Annual is a competitive handicap that gives the opportunity to find a big-priced winner. Here's Clive's guide to the race as he takes us through his Grand Annual Tips and Runners Guide...

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Grand Annual Handicap Chase Runners Guide

JPR One (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) @ 9/1 

Won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his reappearance, beating Djelo who has improved since. Found out against high-class opposition on both starts since, but makes more appeal back among handicappers now. 

Dancing On My Own (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) @ 16/1 

Something of a regular in 2m chases around here, but his only run in the Grand Annual resulted in a 10th-placed finish. At the veteran stage now and coming down the weights fast enough, but may place again. 

My Mate Mozzie (Gavin Cromwell/Keith Donoghue) @ 13/2  

Ran in the Arkle rather than this race last year, finishing sixth. Some good runs in top handicaps since and good claims of setting the record straight in this race now. 

American Mike (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) @ 11/1 

Ran over 3m at Cheltenham last year but has got back in the groove since returning to this sort of distance. Needs to find a bit of improvement, but this might always have been the plan. 

Nells Son (Nicky Richards/Danny McMenamin) @ 33/1  

Improved this season, as this yard's older horses tend to, winning at Carlisle and Kelso. This asks a much harder question, but this reliable sort could take some minor money. 

Martator (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) @ 28/1  

Shot through the ranks from around this time last year, ending up as high as 151 on BHA figures. Has shaped of late as though races are catching up with him. 

Unexpected Party (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) @ 11/2 

Campaigned around this race when winning it last year and it has been a similar story this winter. Higher in the weights now, but this is no stronger a race than when he beat Libberty Hunter 12 months ago. 

General Medrano (Emma Lavelle/Ben Jones) @ 20/1 

Blows hot and cold but comes here off a career-best effort from chasing home Petit Tonnerre at Doncaster six weeks ago. Good ground or thereabouts would be in his favour. 

Fringill Dike (Jedd O'Keeffe/Charlie Hammond) @ 66/1  

Boasts a good strike-rate but generally races in summer, when jumps races are weaker. At least has his conditions for this first run since October. 

So Scottish (Emmet Mullins/Donagh Meyler) @ 17/2  

Is yet to land a big handicap, despite plenty of near misses and foiled gambles. Has had wind surgery since he was least seen at Christmas and it will need to have brought about improvement. 

The King Of Prs (Gavin Cromwell/Conor Stone-Walsh) @ 7/1 

Fell in this race as a six-year-old last year but arrives an improved model this time around, winning a Listed handicap at Fairyhouse when last seen. Claims for a well-represented yard. 

Traprain Law (Lucinda Russell/Patrick Wadge) @ 20/1  

Yet to build on his promise as a novice around this trip, but there were better signs at Musselburgh over further last time and this seven-year-old is no forlorn hope off a mark of 136. 

Gaelic Arc (John Patrick Ryan/Danny Mullins) @ 66/1  

Looks up against it on recent efforts, but second off a similar mark on good ground at Gowran Park in November and looks to have his conditions. 

Western Zephyr (Sean Bowen/Charlie Longsdon) @ 28/1 

Has started to put his previous struggles behind him of late and came right back to form when second to L'Eau Du Sud here in November. Needs to step up even on that. 

Jazzy Matty (Cian Collins/Danny Gilligan) @ 8/1 

Won the 2023 Fred Winter when with Gordon Elliott and has shown signs of a return to that level over fences recently. Not without claims, but whether price accurately reflects his chance is debatable. 

Midnight It Is (Gavin Cromwell/Sean Flanagan) @ 10/1  

Foiled in his hat-trick bid behind The King Of Prs two runs ago. Took a backwards step at the Dublin Racing Festival and has a bit to prove now. 

Third Time Lucki (Fergal O'Brien/Jonathan Burke) @ 20/1  

Some spots of promise for new yard having missed last season, but a return to his best still looks out of reach and he would need it to win this hot handicap. 

Conyers Hill (Paul Nolan/Sean O'Keeffe) @ 20/1  

Big step forward over fences when winning at Down Royal in January. Handicapper has had his say and another chunk of improvement is needed now. 

Jasko Des Dames (Henry de Bromhead/Daragh O'Keeffe) @ 16/1  

Won his first two over fences in the autumn but progress stalled in softer ground in winter. A return to spring ground may help him regain the progressive thread. 

Primoz (Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox) @ 20/1  

Made a bright start over fences in autumn. Did not go on from that as expected, but a step back in the right direction when winning a two-runner race last time. Derek Fox rides, when he could presumably have chosen Traprain Law. 

Dr T J Eckelburg (Evan Williams/Adam Wedge) @ 28/1 RESERVE (excluded at 1pm Tues) 

Suits a strong pace and has won twice this winter when that has prevailed. A race like this should play to his strengths, but is more competitive. RESERVE 

Verdict 

Unexpected Party @ 11/2 

Unexpected Party was not only fortunate to get the jump on Libberty Hunter last year, he also caught that horse when he was rated 139 by the BHA (151 now). For that reason, plus another campaign that has centred on this race, he can become a back-to-back winner of this famous old handicap.