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.
1988 Grand National through a two-season barren spell before emerging as the form horse going into the Grand National. Wins in the Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Chase at Sandown and the Racing Post Chase in January were followed by an appearance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he was still in contention but under pressure when falling four fences from home. Few of his potential backers were put off by that and he was sent off at 10/1 with Brendan Powell in the saddle. Their race looked certain to come to an end when the horse all but fell at Becher's Brook