Wayne Hutchinson celebrates his Coral Cup success on Medinas
PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)33-1 shot Medinas leads home one-two for King
Report: Cheltenham, Wednesday
Coral Cup (Grade 3) 2m5f, 4yo+
ALAN KING had a welcome turn of fortunes as he saddled the first two home in one of the most competitive races at the Cheltenham Festival when Medinas posted a 33-1 surprise.
RELATED LINKS
King had to wait on the outcome of a photo-finish before discovering that his Meister Eckhart had been given the nod over Fiveforthree in the photo for second. Master Of The Sea finished fourth with Ericht back in fifth.
The trainer had a wretched run-up to the meeting with a number of his big hopes ruled out as well as being robbed of the services of stable jockey Robert Thornton, so he was understandably relieved to see things go his way for once.
"I had forgotten what it was like to have a winner here!" said the trainer after watching Medinas come home two lengths in front of his stablemate under Wayne Hutchinson, giving King his first festival winner for two years.
"He is incredibly tough and I am thrilled with the pair of them."
Hutchinson paid tribute to Medinas, who was following up his win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. He said: "He has such a big heart this lad. He travelled and jumped super and then fought like a terrier."
Davy Russell walked away seemingly unhurt after taking a late fall from Un Beau Matin.
Comments