A day to remember for two Gillard families as John Betjemen scores fine victory

Wednesday: Ffos Las

Two Gillard families were celebrating after John Betjeman landed the opening 2m conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle, despite being completely unrelated to each other.

The six-year-old is trained by Mark Gillard and owned by Robin and Rory of the same namesake and while the trio are not related, they have been united through the successes of John Betjeman, who picked up his second career win with a ten-length victory.

"I didn't know them from a bar of soap originally," the trainer said. "They happened to be working with a friend of mine and decided they wanted to own a horse. He told them he's got a Gillard that'll look after you.

"They work nearby in Chard, Somerset and it's a joy to them, they absolutely love it.

"Normally the boy that rides it is a Gillard [the trainer's son, Fergus], the one who trains it is a Gillard and the owners are Gillards – it's one big Gillard scene."

Both of John Betjeman's career wins have come at the track, while he finished third on his only other start in West Wales.

"We'll be coming back here every time we can," Gillard added: "He's been really consistent without winning, but he was sensational today."

The trainer's other son, Theo, also registered a double at Haydock to make it a day to remember for the Gillard name.

Pilot pays off

£130,000 purchase Pay The Pilot made the perfect start on his debut over hurdles and for new trainer Kim Bailey when an easy winner of the 2m4f novice hurdle.

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