Medinas claims Coral Cup at Cheltenham

The Alan King-trained Medinas left it late to win the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon.

There was a late change in Medinas's saddle as Robert Thornton was unable to race because of a hand injury. His absence provided Wayne Hutchinson with the chance to take the whip.

Under the guidance of Hutchinson, the six-year-old provided a late challenge to Fiveforthree and Meister Eckhart and eventually managed to get the better of his two rivals.

Meister Eckhart, who is also trained by King, was able to hold on for second spot, while Fiveforthree claimed third.

Medinas had been rated as a 33-1 chance with the majority of bookmakers before the race.