Garry this morning - Very happy with himself

 Top Garry surprised us all be running a cracking race coming 6th out of 15 runners. He absolutely hated the ground and my heart sunk as he nearly got brought down at the first fence by a falling horse and then he plugged past us at the rear of the field with his head up and ears back. I thought we had made a huge mistake by running him.  However, he gradually got his confidence back and his jumping was brilliant. So much so that he jumped into third place but then got tired just before the last fence. A really good start under rules and he looks like a horse that will enjoy better ground. He has got such a huge stride which struggled in the horrible sticky ground. We also need to try and find the key to getting his head carriage lower - We have tried a lot of flat work and working him in a french martingale, but then he gets very sore back muscles and tight hamstrings. He has been treated by Thomasina Spilman and Debbie Wise, both experts in their own fields and he has been working much better on the gallops but there is still 'work in progress' on the racetrack. He is still a big unfurnished baby and will be a seriously good horse once he has filled out.  - Roy is already talking about him going to Cheltenham! If we manage to win a restricted that could be on the cards.... He is very bright today and ate up really well. It was also so lovely to be back on the race track even with all the rules and regulations. A great day out and a huge relief that he is back safe and sound.

Garry in the paddock -Beautifully turned out by Jane and Lucy Burton