NIGEL Twiston-Davies is already dreaming of 2010 Aintree Grand National glory after Hello Bud’s brilliant front-running triumph in the Scottish equivalent at Ayr.

Given an astute ride by Paddy Brennan, the 11-year-old was providing trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies with his third success in Scotland’s richest steeplechase.

Brennan had no worries about Hello Bud’s stamina and sent him to the front from the outset, setting a steady pace and closely pursued by King Barry.

Hello Bud (12-1) looked to have had the race in safe-keeping – but along came the Jeremy Scott-trained Gone To Lunch under a typically determined ride from champion Tony McCoy.

Although Scott’s chaser closed with every stride on the run-in, the winning post came just too soon and Hello Bud held on by half a length.

Out The Black, trained by Philip Hobbs, was six lengths away in third, with stable companion Chiaro one and a quarter lengths away in fourth.

Hello Bud carries the colours of Dublin owner Seamus Murphy, who enthused: ‘‘I am King of Scotland this year, and next year I will be King of England!’’ Murphy’s prediction was based on Hello Bud winning the Grand National at Aintree next spring.

Twiston-Davies elaborated: ‘‘We will aim at the Becher Chase at Aintree in the autumn and then we will have to go for the National, and maybe we will have a third win in that.

‘‘We’ve got great riches in that department and it’s so exciting.

‘‘It’s a great effort and I’m absolutely chuffed to bits.’’ McCoy said of Gone To Lunch: ‘‘He ran on well but I never really thought he would get there.

‘‘I am pleased with the way he stayed on at the end of the four miles after what had happened at Cheltenham last time.’’ Nine De Sivola was pulled up before four out.

His North Yorkshire trainer Ferdy Murphy said: ‘‘Graham (Lee) said the going was too quick for him.’’

■ Racing is bracing itself for the prospect of the Derby at Epsom being staged without a sponsor.

Officials at the Surrey track, owned by Jockey Club Racecourses, have been aware of the possibility since last year because of the current financial climate.

There have only been two sponsors of the world’s most famous Classic – Ever Ready in 1984 and Vodafone, whose 14-year association ended in 2008.

■ Fame And Glory staked his claim for Epsom Derby honours with a stylish victory in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown yesterday.

The unbeaten son of Montjeu overcame a 5lb penalty for a French Group One success as a juvenile to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his sixth triumph in this race since 1998.

Bookmakers Victor Chandler Bet cut Fame And Glory’s Derby odds from 16s to 10-1, while William Hill go the same price (from 20s).

He is only 8-1 with Stan James, having been cut from 16-1 and then 12s.

O’Brien completed a quick 26.5-1 double when the Murtagh-ridden Stately Home (9-2) took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Another Montjeu colt, he stormed past Big Game Hunter in style to score by two and a half lengths from Yankee Doodle.