After winning events at Hexham and Warwick, he faced a stiffer task in the Tote Northern Handicap Chase at Haydock Park, where he beat Master H, despite racing on ground that was considered unsuitably fast for him. He then followed up with another victory in heavy ground at Wetherby, then appeared again at the same venue in March for what would be his final outing of the season. He put up a worthy performance to beat Tamalin and Rambling Jack, giving weight away to both who were useful performers in their own right. On the strength of this show Gay Spartan was scheduled to take his chance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which was staged in April this year due to the original fixture being abandoned because of snow. He was eventually withdrawn the day before the race as Tony Dickinson was not happy with his well being. Gay Spartan ended the season with a Timeform rating of 153. 1978/1979 season Gay Spartan won two of his four outings during this season and reached his career high point in winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. He was beaten on his two starts prior to Kempton but put up a notable performance on the second occasion in a handicap chase at Leicester, where he failed by only a length and a half to concede 39 lb to Modesty Forbids. Gay Spartan faced fifteen rivals at Kempton. Ridden by Tommy Carmody, the race was run at a fast pace in soft ground, bringing Gay Spartan's stamina reservations in to play. He went to the front after the third last when the leader Royal Mail fell and kept on stoutly to pass the post five lengths ahead of Jack Of Trumps, with Chumson a further fifteen lengths back in third. Reflecting on the performance in relation to his Cheltenham Gold Cup prospects, Tommy Carmody said, " The further he goes the better he is. I wouldn't be afraid of Royal Mail again. I hope the ground is soft because my fellow will be staying on strongly up the hill". Gay Spartan next appeared in what would be his final start in the Jim Ford Challenge Cup at Wincanton. In a small field, he put up a battling performance to beat Gaffer by two lengths. Gay Spartan was ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but was unable