Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Hello Bud ran away with the honours at the 2009 Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.

The 12-1 priced runner, piloted by Paddy Brennan, led the race virtually from start to finish, and was good enough to hold out a determined late run by Tony McCoy on Gone To Lunch.

Out the Black and Chiaro rounded off the places in the race.

The win handed Nigel Twiston-Davies his third Scottish Grand National title, and the trainer was delighted with his entry’s performance against a quality field.

“He’s won all of his races from the front and he did it beautifully,” Twiston-Davies told the Press Association. “It’s a great effort and I’m absolutely chuffed to bits.”

Following the race Paddy Brennan credit Twiston-Davies for his win, telling reporters: “He loves it. I’ve not won on him before so David England takes a lot of credit. I’ve got the best boss in the world and he keeps on producing big winners.”

Hello Bud’s performance is likely to see him aimed at Aintree for the 2009/2010 national hunt season.

“We’ll look at the Becher Chase and things like that, but we’ve got to think about the Grand National, the English one, next year,” Twiston Davies said. “We’ve got great riches in that department and it’s so exciting.”

The national hunt season heads towards its conclusion this Saturday as a host of handicap specialists prepare to run in the 2009 Scottish Grand National.

Paul Nicholls’ Dear Villez heads the weights for the season’s final major grade 3 handicap, with Jimmy Moffat’s Chief Dan George topping the betting markets after two recent wins at Catterick and Kelso.

King Dan George’s support is also based on his preference for faster ground, and Moffat believes his entry will thrive on the fast turf at Ayr on Sunday.

The Scots will be looking for the first home winner since 1982 when Merigo takes to the turf at Ayr. Andrew Parker’s Eider Chase winner is 10/1 in the antepost markets, but his trainer is concerned that the ground may not suit him.

“It just depends on the ground whether he’ll definitely run or not,” said Parker. “It’s got to be safe ground for him. He’s run there a few times and he’s done nothing wrong. And he’s one of the horses you’d guarantee your life on him staying the trip.”

Staying power is likely to decide the winner at the 2009 Scottish Grand National. The race is the second longest grade 3 handicap in the UK at 4 miles 110 yards, behind the 4 miles 4 furlongs run during the Grand National at Aintree.

William Hill is paying each-way to 4th place in the 2009 Scottish Grand National.

Trainer Jimmy Moffat believes that Scottish Grand National antepost favourite, Chief Dan George, will reward his backers at Ayr on Sunday.

Chief Dan George has been priced 13/2 by William Hill for the Scottish Grand National, just ahead of Tricky Trickster at 7/1. Chief Dan George’s popularity in the betting markets is based on recent form, with two wins in his last two races.

“He has trained well, it’s gone without a blip this last month or so and we’re looking forward to it,” Moffatt told the Press Association. “He’s battle hardened. He’s only had five runs over fences but he has jumped well every time and the last time he was pretty impressive.”

“We keep our fingers crossed and hope everything goes well. He’s a spring horse and this year he has come good again, but with all the talk in the world you have still to race over four miles.”

Moffat also believes that the faster ground at Ayr will suit his Scottish Grand National entry.

“I’m happy with the ground as long as it’s good and maybe the quicker side of good, that would be absolutely fine,” Moffat said. “He wants better ground, it helps him jump out of the fences. He springs off it.”

The final field for the 2008 Scottish Grand National has been confirmed, with Alan King’s Halcon Genelardais set to carry top weight in one of the biggest national hunt races of the year. Despite carrying 11st 12lbs, Halcon Genelardais is a strong contender for the title, having won the Welsh National in 2006.

Only two other horses are weighted to participate in the handicap proper. The first is Alan King’s National Hunt Chase winner Old Benny, and the second is Opera Mundi, representing Paul Nicholls in the race.

Only two Irish racehorses have made it into the field of 24 that will run at Ayr on Sunday. Tony Martin is represented by Patsy Hall while In The Loop runs for Roy Wilson.

A notable omission from the field is Butler’s Cabin, who was not declared, possibly as a result of his fall during the 2008 Grand National at Aintree.

With two days to go before the 2008 Scottish Grand National is run, two horses are tied at the top of the odds tables, with both Miko de Beauchene and Old Benny priced at 11/2 to William Hill. Halcon Genelardais is second lowest priced at 2008 Scottish Grand National odds of 13/2.