The week on Twitter: a Grand National non-runner, Hugh Jackman and AP McCoy
Enjoy the H&H team’s top tweets from the equestrian twitterverse this week.
The week on twitter
1. We can’t help but wonder who the favourite for the Grand National will be now that this chap has been announced as a non-runner
BREAKING NEWS: Duke will not run in the GN on Saturday. Instead he will go on a fun ride. pic.twitter.com/f5202T4sXGBREAKING NEWS: Duke will not run in the GN on Saturday. Instead he will go on a fun ride. pic.twitter.com/f5202T4sXG— Chris Maude (@ChrisMaudechris) April 8, 2015— Chris Maude (@ChrisMaudechris) April 8, 2015
2 AP McCoy’s daughter stands proudly in front of his picture projected onto the Royal Liver Building in the centre of Liverpool ahead of his final Grand National appearance
Very excited Daddy's girl in Liverpool tonight @AP_McCoy #GrandNational #liverbuilding pic.twitter.com/ArKaMIcLmeVery excited Daddy's girl in Liverpool tonight @AP_McCoy #GrandNational #liverbuilding pic.twitter.com/ArKaMIcLme— Chanelle McCoy (@mccoy_chanelle) April 8, 2015— Chanelle McCoy (@mccoy_chanelle) April 8, 2015
3 Life goes from one extreme to the other for Grand National jockey and Horse & Hound columnist Richard Johnson
Great day off with family today at the beach! Before @AintreeRaces starts tomorrow #GrandNational pic.twitter.com/yZJLBuqD5pGreat day off with family today at the beach! Before @AintreeRaces starts tomorrow #GrandNational pic.twitter.com/yZJLBuqD5p— Richard Johnson (@dickyjohnson77) April 8, 2015— Richard Johnson (@dickyjohnson77) April 8, 2015
4 Aintree specialist Monet’s Garden parades for his fans at the racecourse where he enjoyed so much success. He has since enjoyed a new life on the showing circuit with Jo Richards who looked after him during his racing career
.@AintreeRaces favourite Monet's Garden and Jo Richards. He loves the place and Aintree loves him just as much pic.twitter.com/yQpNgqfTD4.@AintreeRaces favourite Monet's Garden and Jo Richards. He loves the place and Aintree loves him just as much pic.twitter.com/yQpNgqfTD4— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) April 10, 2015— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) April 10, 2015
5 Girl power — jockey Nina Carberry (nearside) has a fantastic spin around the Grand National fences in the Fox Hunters’ Chase to win on the first day of the festival at Aintree
Huge well done @ninacarberry what a horse! Brilliant ride, fingers crossed for the big one pic.twitter.com/R3QGGbRAAVHuge well done @ninacarberry what a horse! Brilliant ride, fingers crossed for the big one pic.twitter.com/R3QGGbRAAV— Carberry Racing (@CBloodstock) April 9, 2015— Carberry Racing (@CBloodstock) April 9, 2015
6 Away from racing, theatre actor and amateur event rider Gavin has a reality check over his future dressage endeavours
Hugh Jackman watched Sweeney last night. If I ever get nervous again about a Nana sitting at C in a mini metro marking my trot, shoot me.Hugh Jackman watched Sweeney last night. If I ever get nervous again about a Nana sitting at C in a mini metro marking my trot, shoot me.— GJM Eventing (@GJMEventing) April 10, 2015— GJM Eventing (@GJMEventing) April 10, 2015
7 Neither jockey or camel were hurt in the making of this photo at the Lambourn Open Day
@LambournOpenDay Had a great day at four yards. Thank you to all owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, others. Well sat! pic.twitter.com/VqA11wbDxf@LambournOpenDay Had a great day at four yards. Thank you to all owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, others. Well sat! pic.twitter.com/VqA11wbDxf— Julie Matthias (@JulieMatthias1) April 3, 2015— Julie Matthias (@JulieMatthias1) April 3, 2015
If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.