Rehearsal_Handicap_Chase
Rehearsal Handicap Chase
Steeplechase horse race in Great Britain
The Rehearsal Handicap Chase is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newcastle, over a distance of about 3 miles (2 miles 7 furlongs and 91 yards or 4,727 metres). It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in December.
2022 | ||
L'Homme Presse | Into Overdrive | Happygolucky |
The race was first run in 1979 at Chepstow, the name indicating that runners should consider it as a "rehearsal" for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was initially a Conditions race with Listed status but became a Limited handicap (still with Listed status) in 1988. It was run at Chepstow until 2004 (over the longer distance of 3 miles and 2 furlongs between 2002 and 2004) and during this period was often used as a stepping stone towards the Welsh Grand National which is run at the same course around four weeks later. It was re-classified as a Premier Handicap in 2022 when Listed status was removed from handicap races.[1]