Young Kenny secured his third valuable staying chase in less than two months as he swept to a spectacular victory in the Stakis Casinos Scottish National at Ayr on Saturday.

Brendan Powell, winner of the race 10 years ago aboard Roll-A-Joint, hardly had an anxious moment in the £70,000 event.

In front for much of the four-mile one furlong trip, the 5 to 2 favourite had taken control by the home straight.

Hollybank Buck, trained by Tony Martin, chased in vain over the last three fences and was still nine lengths in arrears at the line. Full Of Oats was third.

Powell (38) said: "I was never worried and he jumped well. His only mistake came when I left him alone at one of the fences.

"But he had plenty in the tank at the finish and I'm sure he would have found more if another had come at him."

Young Kenny, the first winning favourite in this contest since Red Rum 25 years ago, was produced fresh and well here by his trainer Peter Beaumont after victories in the Greenalls Grand National Trial and Midlands National.

Beaumont compared Young Kenny favourably with his Gold Cup hero Jodami saying: "Jodami was a class horse over three miles and this horse is a class stayer."

The trainer's words are likely to be put further to the test next season with the Grand National a probable target.