[3] The early spring of 1928 was exceptionally cold and led to fears that the Cheltenham Festival would be abandoned but a break in the weather allowed the meeting to take place.
[3] Patron Saint was entered in the Gold Cup as a five-year-old meaning that he carried seven pounds less than his older rivals.
[5] Ridden by Dick Rees, Patron Saint tracked Koko before being driven up on the inside to take a slight lead at the final fence.
Koko still looked the more likely winner but broke a blood vessel[3] and dropped back to third, allowing Patron Saint to draw clear and win by four lengths from the thirteen-year-old veteran Vive.
[3] Patron Saint was expected to defend his Gold Cup title in 1929 but missed the race after suffering a series of injuries and training problems.