Cheltenham Gold Cup races from 1932 to 1936 were won by Golden Miller, who also won the Grand National in 1934. During World War II the Gold Cup was cancelled twice, in 1943 and 1944. The first multiple winner of the post-war years was Cottage Rake, who won the three runnings from 1948 to 1950. Cottage Rake was trained in Ireland by Vincent O'Brien, and his successes helped to popularise the Gold Cup, and the Festival itself, with the Irish public. The Gold Cup was switched to the "New Course" in 1959, and this is now the regular track used for the event.
The Thinker (horse) entered in the 1987 Grand National but was withdrawn shortly before the start due to Stephenson's concerns about the muddy course conditions and the results of a training gallop the morning of the race. The 1987 Cheltenham Gold Cup, run on 19 March was the 60th running of Britain's most prestigious steeplechase. Arthur Stephenson was not at Cheltenham, preferring to attend the meeting at Hexham, where he had seven runners, and The Thinker was taken to the course by Stephenson's nephew Peter Cheeseborough. The twelve runner field was headed by the 5/4 favourite Forgive 'n' Forget who had won the