at the same course, over a distance of four miles. In his second attempt at the Grand National he was made the 9/1 favourite, but fell at Becher's Brook on the first circuit. In 1949 he bypassed the National, running instead in the Champion Chase over two miles seven furlongs at the same course. He was leading and looked likely to win before falling heavily. Silver Fame remained on the ground for some time, leading to fears that he had been fatally injured, but he had only been winded by the fall and quickly recovered. In the following year he defeated Freebooter in the Stanley Chase at Sandown and in March he recorded his second success at the Festival as he carried 175 pounds to victory in the National Hunt Handicap Chase. Until 1951 Silver Fame had never contested the Cheltenham Gold Cup. For last two renewals Lord Bicester had preferred to rely on Finnure who had finished fourth in 1949 and second in 1950. On his final start before the Cheltenham Festival Silver Fame was beaten by Lockerbie at Manchester Racecourse, conceding weight to the winner. The weather then turned exceptionally cold and wet and the Cheltenham meeting was abandoned after the first day. The Gold Cup was rescheduled for the next Cheltenham meeting and was run on 25 April, meaning that it took place after the Grand National. Many of the original entrants, including the likely favourite Arctic Gold, did not appear and the race attracted only six runners. Silver Fame, ridden by Martin Molony, started the 6/4 favourite ahead of Lockerbie on 3/1 with the best of the others appearing to be the Queen's horse Manicou (winner of the King George VI Chase) and Freebooter (who had won the 1950 Grand National). The two outsiders were Mighty Fine and Jimmy Rank's eight-year-old Greenogue. Lockerbie took the early lead before Greenogue took over on the second circuit. The field remained closely grouped until first Manicou and then Freebooter weakened leaving four horses still in contention as the field turned into the straight. Lockerbie had regained the advantage and led at the last but quickly began to struggle leaving Silver Fame and Greenogue to fight out the finish. Greenogue appeared to have the slight edge all the way up the run in but Silver Fame, under a strong ride from Molony, drew level in the final strides and was