Horse racing comes in several forms, each offering something a little different, and understanding these variations can help the whole sport make more sense. One of the most distinctive formats is the chase, which brings an element you will not find in every contest.
This blog post gently outlines what a chase involves and how it stands apart from flat racing. It then looks at the main chase categories, the formalities that shape them, how obstacles influence riding decisions, the usual distances seen in Britain, and the meetings where chasers tend to shine. It finishes with a look at the betting markets linked to chases, should you choose to explore them in a considered way.
Read on to learn more.
How Is a Chase Different From a Flat Race?
Chase races and flat races both sit under the racecourse umbrella, though they ask quite different questions.
A chase brings in a series of obstacles that must be cleared. These obstacles vary in height and design, meaning that a smooth approach may matter just as much as outright pace. By contrast, flat races involve no such obstacles and place greater weight on pace, positioning, and travelling cleanly across the set trip.
Chases also cover trips that might stretch further than many flat contests. That extra test, combined with the jumping element, calls for qualities that only some horses display. Others shine more in the obstacle-free world of the flat.
Once you absorb these contrasts, it becomes easier to recognise the main types of chase found on racecards.
What Types of Chases Are There in Horse Racing?
Several categories sit under the chasing umbrella, each carrying distinct features and entry rules. You will see some of these terms again, explained a little more fully than here.
Steeplechases
These are the central form of chase racing. Horses negotiate a set of fixed obstacles—some of which include added challenges—over a trip that asks for fluency and staying power.
Many celebrated contests, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, fall into this bracket.
National Hunt Chases
“National Hunt” covers the full jumping sphere in Britain and Ireland, embracing both hurdles and steeplechases. The phrase “National Hunt chases” generally refers to steeplechases within this code.
You will also see the term in the title of specific contests, such as the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, which is a race with its own traditions.
Beginner and Novice Chases
These categories exist to guide less-seasoned chasers through their early stages. A beginners’ chase is for horses with limited or no previous experience over larger obstacles. Novice chases are for those in their first season tackling these challenges, placing them among rivals at a similar stage of development. After a horse succeeds at a certain level or the season concludes, it usually moves into open company.
The formalities that govern all of these categories, however, are shared.
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What Are the Key Rules in a Chase Race?
Chases follow a set of formalities designed to keep the competition orderly and protect all involved.
Every flagged obstacle forming part of the set course must be cleared. Bypassing an obstacle without being instructed to do so leads to removal from the result. Should a horse refuse or part company with its rider, its involvement ends there. Officials may instruct participants to avoid an obstacle if circumstances make that necessary.
Most chases are for horses aged five and above. Some races assign loads to each runner to even out the field, while others apply set conditions that depend on factors such as age or previous success.
The first horse to reach the line—having cleared every required obstacle—takes the verdict. Where the finish is extremely tight, technology determines the outcome. Rules also cover equipment and conduct; those who do not follow them face penalties.
These formalities apply everywhere, but the obstacles themselves shape how the race plays out.
How Do Fences and Obstacles Affect the Race?
Obstacles define a chase and influence the unfolding contest from the moment the tape rises.
A course may present plain fences, ditches, or even a water feature. Clearing each obstacle is only part of the challenge; maintaining momentum and balance through and after the jump might be just as important. A flawed leap might cost ground, and a major mistake might end a challenge then and there.
Riders make continual decisions about how to approach and depart each obstacle, working to meet it on an efficient stride while conserving enough energy to deal with what comes next. Underfoot conditions add further nuance, altering how horses jump and land. The siting of the final obstacle might also play a part, especially if it lies close to the finishing post.
These tests take place across different trips, which introduces another layer to the analysis.
What Are Common Distances for Chase Races in the UK?
Chases in Britain span a variety of trips, usually from around two miles to more than four.
Shorter contests—roughly around the two-mile mark—reward a nimble jumper that may travel at pace and meet obstacles with precision.
Middle-distance chases typically stretch from about two and a half to three miles. Many valued graded races sit here, pairing a solid tempo with the need to keep going.
Then there are the extended contests, which move beyond three and a half miles. Events in this bracket, including the Grand National, ask horses to keep jumping and travelling for an extended period. As the trip increases, so does the number of obstacles, making the full journey a serious test.
These varied distances give shape to the major events that anchor the racing year.
What Are the Major Chase Events in UK Horse Racing?
The British calendar features several high-profile chases that bring together strong fields and considerable attention.
The Grand National at Aintree stands out as the best-known extended chase. Its distinctive obstacles and demanding trip create a spectacle followed across the world.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup, staged at the Cheltenham Festival in March, is among the most prestigious tests for top-class chasers. Run over more than three miles, it shows which horses possess the required blend of quality and endurance.
Other notable contests include the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Aintree Bowl during the National meeting. Important novice chases and graded events across the season give developing horses opportunities to move forward.
How Do Betting Markets Work for Chase Races?
If you choose to bet on chases, you will encounter a variety of markets. The simplest is the win market, where your selection must finish first. An each-way bet divides your stake between the win and a placing, with the placing terms depending on the number of runners and whether the contest is a handicap.
Forecasts and tricasts involve naming the first two or three home in a specified order. Some firms offer place-only options or markets excluding the favourite. Prices shift based on elements such as recent performances, the ground, a horse’s record at the venue, the load carried, and riding arrangements. These prices might change if new information emerges or a horse is withdrawn.
Outcomes might be influenced by incidents such as jumping mistakes or altered underfoot conditions, so nothing is assured. If you choose to take part, it is important to set personal limits, keep track of outlay, and step away whenever needed. Tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion exist for your support, and advice is freely available from organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware.
Understanding how chases work—from race types and formalities to the markets you might explore—helps you follow the sport with awareness and care.
