Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase Tips 2026 – Cheltenham 4:40 Preview & Best Bets

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⭐ Grand Annual Handicap Chase Tips

WIN: Relieved Of Duties
MAIN DANGER: Be Aware
VALUE BET: Vanderpoel
OUTSIDER: Jazzy Matty

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Race Overview – Grand Annual Handicap Chase (4:40 Cheltenham)

The Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase is one of the most competitive handicap races of the Cheltenham Festival.

Run over 2 miles on the Old Course, it regularly features huge fields and fast early pace, with accurate jumping and tactical positioning proving crucial.

Because of the frenetic nature of the race, strong travellers who can sit just behind the pace often perform well before making their move up the Cheltenham hill.

The 2026 renewal looks extremely open, with several progressive handicap chasers lining up. Be Aware arrives with strong recent form in Graded races, while Vanderpoel and Release The Beast represent improving runners who could still be ahead of the handicapper.

However, the vote goes to Relieved Of Duties, who could bounce back to his best now returned to better ground conditions.

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⭐ Main Selection – Relieved Of Duties

Relieved Of Duties makes plenty of appeal in this competitive handicap.

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old made an excellent start to his chasing career earlier in the season, showing strong jumping and good cruising speed.

His most recent run was below expectations, but conditions were not ideal and the return to better ground should help him show his true ability.

With Jack Kennedy booked for the ride and a relatively light weight to carry, Relieved Of Duties looks capable of producing a big performance in the 4:40 at Cheltenham.

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⚠️ Main Danger – Be Aware

The biggest threat could come from Be Aware, who has been running consistently well in stronger races.

Trained by Dan Skelton, the seven-year-old has finished second on several occasions in high-quality company and now drops into handicap company from an attractive mark.

His form suggests he possesses the class required for a race of this nature, and if he handles the fast early tempo of the Grand Annual he should be very competitive.

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💰 Value Bet – Vanderpoel

For those looking for an each-way play, Vanderpoel stands out as a potential value bet.

The Ben Pauling-trained seven-year-old arrives in excellent form after two convincing victories earlier this season.

Although those wins came in smaller fields, he displayed impressive jumping and a strong finishing effort that suggests he can cope with the demands of a big-field handicap.

If he continues his upward progression, Vanderpoel could easily outrun his odds.

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🐎 Dark Horse – Jazzy Matty

Last year’s winner Jazzy Matty is impossible to ignore.

He has an excellent record at the Cheltenham Festival and remains two-from-two at the meeting, which highlights how well he handles the unique challenge of the track.

Although his form this season has been below his previous best, he has undergone a wind operation since his last run and could bounce back to form at a venue where he clearly thrives.

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Other Contenders

Release The Beast
Runner-up on both starts this season and looks like a horse still improving. Another interesting contender in this competitive handicap.

Inthepocket
Capable performer who ran respectably at Leopardstown last time and could build on that effort.

Rubaud
A classy performer for Paul Nicholls who has won at Grade 2 level, though his handicap mark may make things difficult.

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Predicted Finishing Order

1. Relieved Of Duties
2. Be Aware
3. Vanderpoel
4. Jazzy Matty

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Final Verdict

The Grand Annual is always one of the toughest handicaps to solve at the Cheltenham Festival, with a large field and relentless pace creating plenty of drama.

While several contenders hold strong claims, Relieved Of Duties stands out as a horse capable of improving again under suitable conditions.

If he produces the level of form shown earlier in the season, he could prove very difficult to beat in the 4:40 at Cheltenham.

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Best Bets Summary

WIN: Relieved Of Duties
EACH WAY: Vanderpoel
DANGER: Be Aware
OUTSIDER: Jazzy Matty

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