As known from:
The SunFootball365Sportskeeda
pro
Alerts
Latest Deals
Write a Review
Write a Review
Nothing Found
Alerts
Latest Deals
pro
Betting.net / Betting Terms A-Z / S / What is Steeplechase? Steeplechase Explained in 2 minutes

What is Steeplechase? Steeplechase Explained in 2 minutes

Publish Date: March 31, 2021
Fact checked by: Jesse M Cox

The first steeplechases took place in Ireland where horses jumped obstacles and raced from steeple to steeple. In the modern era steeplechases or chases are races that are run over fences.

In National Hunt racing there are two types of obstacle: hurdles and fences. Hurdles are smaller than fences and require a different action to jump. Hurdle races are generally shorter than chases and fewer obstacles are jumped.

Inexperienced horses in the United Kingdom compete in novice chases, handicap chases and conditions chases. The most prestigious steeplechase in the world is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which takes place at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

How is a Steeplechase used in Sports Betting?

A chase is a race in which horses jump fences as opposed to hurdles. This type of race is run over distances from two miles to four miles and three furlongs.

There are a variety of fences in a chase: plain fences, open ditches and a water jump. There are usually no more than two open ditches in any circuit and just one water jump, which on many tracks is positioned in front of the stands. The fences are at least four and a half feet in height and the core material is birch and spruce. Only flat races start from stalls and hurdles and chases begin when the starter lifts the tape.

Chasers are usually older than hurdlers but they can graduate from to National Hunt flat races to hurdles and ultimately to chases. Young horses gain experience in hurdle races and then move on to chases.

Chases are held on 40 racecourses in the UK. The most famous chases are the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National. Amateur steeplechasing is known as point-to-pointing because races take place from two points on the track.

As with distances or other forms of racing, some horses are better at steeplechases than others. When looking at runners in a particular race, the form guide is something to take into account for a steeplechase as with any other form of horse racing.

See also…

Course Specialist

Read Also
What is Hurdle Horse Racing? Hurdle Horse Racing Explained in 2 minutes
In jumps racing in Britain there are four types of race: hurdle, ...
What is National Hunt Racing? National Hunt Racing Explained in 2 minutes
There are two types of racing in Britain and Ireland: Flat and ...
BetMGM Promo
What is Point To Point Racing? Point To Point Racing Explained in 2 minutes
Point-to-Point racing in Britain is the amateur version of steeple chasing. Races ...
What is a Novice? Novice in Betting Explained
A novice in any walk of life is someone with little experience ...
What is Novice Stakes? Novice Stakes Explained in 2 minutes
Novice stakes are races for inexperienced horses which have not won a ...
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
Bet365
4.8/5
BetMGM
4.5/5
FanDuel
4.4/5
Caesars
4.3/5
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.2/5
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Caesars
Caesars Promo
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
T&Cs apply
4.2/5
Our Team
David Genge
David Genge
Editor
Jesse M Cox
Jesse M Cox
Chief Editor
Alyx Tzamantanis
Alyx Tzamantanis
Editor
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
James Leeland
James Leeland
Editor
Author Icon
Marcus
Content Writer
mikegoodpaster
mikegoodpaster
Head Content Writer
Get the latest updates in Sports and Casino via our Newsletter
Poker & Bingo

Full coverage of poker and bingo, from reviews of providers to guides and much more besides!

21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Trading financial products carries a high risk to your capital, especially trading leverage products such as CFDs. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
Virginia Town HallCloudflareSSLco² neutral
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome Social Casino sites this week:
Stake.us
Stake.us Promo
56 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs and 18+ apply
Code:
Open Stake.us
Get Bonus
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Promo
Claim Your Free 650,000 Gold Coins & 1,400 Fortune Coins
T&Cs and 18+ apply
Code:
Open Fortune Coins
Get Bonus
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site