King and Hutchinson hit the target

Medinas (33/1) followed up his Welsh Champion Hurdle victory by landing the Coral Cup under Wayne Hutchinson.

Alan King's six-year-old travelled well off a strong pace set by stablemate Meister Eckhart (14/1) and Loose Chips, before producing a fine leap at the last to win going away.

Meister Eckhart battled on gamely to fend off Fiveforthree (20/1) in the battle for second, with well-backed Master Of The Sea (10/1) finishing his race well to take fourth ahead of Ericht.

Favourite Pendra was held up by AP McCoy and was never really able to land a blow, with Abbey Lane even more disappointing under Ruby Walsh.

Hutchinson said: "He has such a big heart. "He won off 140 (at Ffos Las) and has gone up to 148 - I didn't think he had anything to play with.

"He's like a little pony, but he fought like a terrier down to the last."

King said: "We've forgotten what it's like to have a winner here.

"The handicapper kept putting him (Medinas) up and up, but my goodness he's tough.

"I thought they were going too quick up front so full marks to the second to stay on.

"It's been a tough year - I haven't made any secret of that.

"We haven't had a vintage season, but the team have worked extremely hard - hopefully it's onwards and upwards.

"To be honest, I fancied the second horse more as I thought Medinas was handicapped out of it, but he's just kept improving.

"The second horse will be very exciting over a fence next season."