In horse racing parlance what is the notable difference between a "chase" and a "hurdle"?

Baloo55th

Hurdles races only have low, easily jumped, possibly brush barriers. Chases have hedges and waterjumps. Chase in this case is short for steeplechase, a type of race originally run across the countryside, with a steeple as the guide to the finishing line. The racing course tries to reproduce this sort of obstacle, but without the stray sheep, dogs, children and picnickers. Personally, I've never visited a racecourse and only been involved with one sweepstake even. (I won! I think I got five shillings from a sixpenny stake. The horse was Anglo, as I recall.) Feb 10 06, 5:05 PM