The Grand Annual Steeplechase had been contested for 132 years, traditionally on the last day of the meeting and on this occasion, as the very last race of the 2009 Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson saddled the third and fourth horses home when the race was first run under its new prefix in memory of his late father in 2005 and then did even better the following year when winning with Greenhope.

Nicky trains at Seven Barrows in Lambourn and has saddled over 30 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, gaining his first success in 1985 - only Fulke Walwyn and Martin Pipe have trained more winners at the festival.

Do not dismiss any five-year-olds that line up, as despite their relative lack of experience four of the six runners to have contested this event have finished in the frame. Conversely, horses aged 10 or more have a particularly poor record.

Naas-based trainer Arthur Moore boasts the best percentage record in the race having saddled two winners and a runner-up from just six runners in the race since 1998.  Paul Nicholls' runners are also well worth following. 

Henderson's lightly-raced French Opera is towards the head of the betting for this year's contest, along with the Nicholls-trained Poquelin. Both will rightfully have their supporters but preference at the prices instead just goes to Leslingtaylor at 16/1 with Sky Bet. He is not a certain runner, but looked back to something near his best when scoring at Doncaster a few days ago and connections may well be tempted to take their chance in a contest where his Flat speed could well a very useful asset.