Crossword Genius

Stay one off the front in steeplechase? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

race

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'steeplechase?' is the definition.
(steeplechase is a kind of race)

'stay one off the front' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'one' could be 'ace' (ace has a value of one in some card games) and 'ace' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for race that I've seen before include "Participate in speed contest" , "Contest; nation" , "Breed" , "Career - people" , "Care about contest" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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