H&H visits Paul Nicholls’ yard in our National Hunt special [VIDEO]

As well as our exclusive interview with Paul Nicholls (see preview video above), don’t miss this week’s bumper National Hunt special issue of Horse & Hound magazine where we look forward to a mouthwatering winter season of racing.

Here’s what you can look forward to on Thursday (6 November):

• We go behind-the-scenes at champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ famous Ditcheat yard. He introduces us to some of his potential new stable stars, explains the reshuffling among his jockeys and — it doesn’t happen very often — we even catch Paul in the saddle!

• Ever wondered what has happened to some of the superstars of the track? Monkerhostin, Forpadydeplasterer and Big Buck’s are all enjoying life after racing and their new riders tell us how they’ve adapted.

• We catch up with jump jockey Jason Maguire and find out why, despite a life-threatening fall in March, he is more determined than ever to keep riding winners. “It’s the one organ that grows back — it’s fine,” he says shrugging off the fact that his liver was virtually sliced in two.

• Fancy a gamble this season? We bring you five horses to follow for the coming months — and four jockeys currently rising through the ranks

• Our new guest columnist Richard Johnson explains why he’s enjoying a great start to his winter campaign and reveals how it feels to chase AP McCoy for the jockeys’ championship… yet again. “Every year I set myself the same goal and every year AP doesn’t let me get near it!” he says.

• We meet last season’s champion chaser Sire De Grugy — connections describe him as “doing all you ask of him” but there’s just one thing that annoys the all-conquering chestnut and you can find out what it is

• Plus, don’t miss our coverage of the top class racing from the weekend, including Wetherby, where Menorah rolled back the years for trainer Philip Hobbs, and over in California, where Jamie Osborne’s jetsetting hero Toast Of New York came within inches of victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

• And finally, Sue Montgomery finds out which horses have changed hands — and whose been splashing the cash — in the Tattersalls horses-in-training sale

It’s a bumper issue, so don’t miss it! On sale Thursday 6 November.

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.