Grand Annual Handicap Chase Odds: Maskada seeking rare back-to-back wins

The Cheltenham Festival's oldest race takes centre stage at 16:50 on Wednesday as the 1m 7f 199yd course of the Grand Annual Handicap Chase is covered once more, 190 years on from its very first running.

Last year's winner, Maskada, goes for glory again under Darragh O'Keeffe for Henry De Bromhead, and will be looking to become the first back-to-back winner of this race since Dulwich won consecutive trips in 1974 and 1976. The Grand Annual Handicap Chase odds show that Maskada is in among the hopes once more.

Libberty Hunter @ 6/1

Libberty Hunter has won his last couple of starts, including most recently a victory over a similar distance at Cheltenham on New Year's Day in the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase.

He was ridden that day by Adam Wedge but goes under a more-than-reliable Harry Cobden here, and there is an expectation that the gelding could yet hit even greater form starting on Wednesday.

Saint Roi @ 13/2

This gelding hasn't tasted victory in over a year and has been long odds in his last five outings, all of which came in Ireland.

His last outing in England was in last year's Grand National meeting at Aintree, where he came a close second in the Grade 1 Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices' Chase, and now as then he will be ridden by Mark Walsh.

Madara @ 7/1

A clear winner over a similar distance at Cheltenham back in December, and then again at Leopardstown in February, this Sophie Leech-trained gelding is looking for a hat-trick.

The five-year-old is still some way from potential peak but ought to challenge again in this one.

Maskada @ 7/1

No horse, jockey or trainer has won consecutive editions of this race since Fred Winter in 1980 and 1981 saddled Stopped and Friendly Alliance respectively, but Maskada is out to break that 43-year duck after winning by six-and-a-half lengths at 22/1 this time last year.

That victory was her last to date, but the same team will be looking for a similar run 12 months on.

Harper's Brook @ 8/1

A winner over this distance at Sandown last time out, Kielan Woods takes over from Ben Jones in the saddle having brought up the rear on him at the Paddy Powe Gold Cup at Cheltenham back in November.

That last run was typical of his poor record at this venue.

Sa Fureur @ 9/1

Gordon Elliott sends out Jack Kennedy on a gelding with four wins to his name and most recently was second under the same rider at Naas in January over 2m.

The horse pulled up in last year's Cheltenham Festival when setting out as a 13/2 favourite over 2m 5f in the Coral Cup, but makes his debut in a handicap chase here.

Path D'Oroux @ 9/1

Has yet to chalk up a victory over the fences under a series of riders but Keith Donoghue again goes on him here. Finished almost three lengths behind Madara at Leopardstown last time out.

Hardy Du Seuil @ 12/1

Finished a good third at Sandown in February returning to the chase circuit and was impressive as a novice two seasons back. Gavin Sheehan has had a number of impressive rides on him in the past.

Dancing On My Own @ 12/1

Rachael Blackmore gets the nod from Henry De Bromhead on this gelding, who is reliant on drier conditions judging by previous form. Was a distant 10th under Darragh O'Keeffe in this race two years ago, but was successful when ridden by Blackmore over course and distance last October.

Unexpected Party @ 14/1

A solid runner in previous Cheltenham outings, his only win in recent times came at Chepstow last autumn. Has struggled with stronger fields for the most part since.

The King Of Prs @ 14/1

Was looking like a firm bet after winning his first two chases, but has tailed away more recently. Finished a reasonable third at Lingfield in January but was way off the mark at Thurles four weeks later.

Solness @ 16/1

Came third behind Madara and Path D'Oroux at Leopardstown most recently, having also picked up an impressive win in a listed Fairyhouse handicap chase before Christmas.

Calico @ 18/1

Tristan Durrell rides this one for Dan Skelton, with the horse having finished fourth being Madara at the same venue under Harry Skelton in December. A consistent front-runner, he is likely to go well here again but would need something extra compared to recent form to challenge.

Triple Trade @ 25/1

Joe Tizzard has got a number of wins out of this eight-year-old, who was fifth at Lingfield last time out in an uncharacteristically poor showing. Before that, he had victories at Ascot and over course and distance in November.

Frere D'Armes @ 25/1

Another Dan Skelton runner, he won his first two over fences at Kempton and Newbury in 2022 but was a very distant sixth when racing over 2m 4f at Cheltenham last time out in January.

The Folkes Tiara @ 28/1

One of three to go for Henry De Bromhead, The Folkes Tiara was a handicap winner at Leopardstown on Boxing Day 2023 but then failed to challenge in a stronger field on the same course in February.

Gemirande @ 33/1

Venetia Williams' gelding charted a succession of place finishes, including a couple of winners, last season, but was easily beaten at Newbury recently when returning to action after almost a year out.

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