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.
1992 Grand National last flight but could make no impression from that point and finished twenty-seven and a half lengths distant in fifth. This proved to be Twin Oaks' only attempt at the National and went on to win the Tommy Whittle Chase in December before being retired after a poor run in a Greenalls Gold Cup in February 1993. Cool Ground was bidding to become only the second horse ever to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season. In the absence of regular rider, Adrian Maguire, Martin Lynch took the ride and was in contention in the