William and Alice Fox-Pitt said it was a “treat” to be asked to guest-edit this week’s edition of the magazine, which is on the shelves today (31 March).

The Olympic medallist and Badminton winner and leading racing commentator took the reins of H&H for one week only, tasking our features editor and contributors with producing articles they most wanted to read, and hope you will too.

William and Alice said: “What a treat to be asked to guest-edit Horse & Hound, the magazine that has been on the kitchen table every Thursday throughout our childhoods and now in our home.

“It has been a chance to reflect on the amazing horses that have taken us to extraordinary places, supported by brilliant people. For our passion to become our job and business is the luckiest thing for us.”

Their chosen articles include:

William’s Super Six: William reminisces about the five-star horses who have made his career, including what set them apart and why he remembers them most fondly

Access All Areas at ITV Racing: H&H goes behind the scenes with Alice and the rest of the knowledgeable and glamorous team to find out what really goes into broadcasting a day of first-class sporting action to millions

Profile: Snow Leopardess: find out everything you need to know about this home-bred broodmare and national hunt star who is entered for this year’s Grand National

All In A Day’s Work: meet Jackie Potts, William Fox-Pitt’s elite super-groom, who has been behind his success for decades and knows his most prolific stars inside out, and learn what it takes to be the best in this business

Spotlight: Banzai du Loir: this is the horse who most impressed William in 2021, under young rider Yasmin Ingham. Find out why, what makes the horse quite so good, and what we can expect from the pair in 2022

Behind the greats: behind every great rider is often a family member – parent, husband, wife or partner – who is invaluable, who keeps the show on the road, and offers complete support. We investigate those relationships and pay tribute to the stars’ own superheroes

The H&H Interview: with Kazu Tomoto. Japan’s eventing megastar, who is based with the Fox-Pitts and impressed the world at Tokyo 2020 Olympics by finishing fourth. Find out how he is taking the sport by storm and his most exciting plans for the future

Training crossover: savvy racehorse trainers are having horses schooled in dressage, while showjumpers are taking their horses hunting; we learn how a crossover in training between disciplines is having a remarkable impact

William and Alice said: “It was important to include Jackie Potts (p22) as she has been our secret weapon; her dedication to the horses makes everything possible. Every yard has great staff, but to have had the constant management skills of Jackie for nearly 30 years is not normal!

“Having the opportunity to work with an athlete like Kazumo Tomoto made for an obvious H&H interview (p18). He has been a privilege to work with. The sacrifices he made and the results he has achieved have made the whole team proud. I couldn’t have imagined enjoying my first coaching role at an Olympics so much. His success is down to the great support of the JRA [the Japanese Racing Association] but also his talent and focus.

“As a final note, the backdrop of the current situation in Ukraine is consuming all of us. Clearly the humanitarian situation is the priority but there are over 1,000 horses in Ukraine registered with the FEI and some 200,000 that World Horse Welfare are aware of. The priority now is funds not forage. If you want to help, please visit the World Horse Welfare website. The Ukrainian equestrian federation asked us to pass on their thanks to the great people involved.”

H&H editor-in-chief Sarah Jenkins said the team is very grateful to William and Alice for their edit, and their “unique insight and ideas”.

“We know the Fox-Pitts are much loved by Horse & Hound’s readers, and have been for many years, and we believe the issue they have produced is an absolute treat for their many fans,” she said.

You might also be interested in:

Happy Birthday, William Fox-Pitt! Here’s some of his career highlights to celebrate…

‘He would be thrilled’: bursary in memory of young rider killed in fall will help others follow their dreams

‘This is the dream’: Fox-Pitt family’s home-bred wins over the Grand National fences

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

Snow Leopardess, a fifth-generation home-bred belonging to William Fox-Pitt’s mother Marietta, became the first mare to win the Unibet Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree on Saturday (4 December).

In atrocious conditions – testing ground and strong winds – she jumped from fence to fence under jockey Aidan Coleman. The pair led from The Chair to the finish in the 3m1f race, and held on gamely from the Sandy Thomson-trained Hill Sixteen to win by a nose.

“Marietta, my mother-in-law, is so passionate about horses and racing and her son Andrew, whose colours the horse ran in today, has worked so hard to keep this all going,” explained ITV Racing’s Alice Plunkett, who is married to William Fox-Pitt.

“They’ve done all sorts of crazy things with her, but this was her dream to win a race over these fences. Marietta was there at her foaling – her husband Oliver died and when this mare was born, she said it was the first time it made her smile since then. She’s made us smile ever since.”

Snow Leopardess, a daughter of Martaline, was foaled and backed at Knowlton, the Fox-Pitt family home in Kent, before being sent to Ralph Beckett at two to learn to gallop. She was then sent to her current trainer Charlie Longsdon, and despite time-outs for injury, she has always been good. Indeed, she had only once finished out of the first three four times in 18 starts.

In her first race in 2016, she beat a Henderson hotpot (Rather Be) in a bumper race at Doncaster and she won a Listed bumper in Ireland at the suggestion of Jessica Harrington, a great friend of Marietta. Over hurdles, she won the mares’ final at Newbury and in October 2017, she won a conditions hurdle at Auteuil but she banged herself in the lorry on the way home.

She went to Alice and William Fox-Pitt for rehab and Paul Roche had her in Ireland, swimming her in the sea off a pier. But the injury recurred and she was put in foal to Sir Percy. When she was being brought back to fitness, the resulting filly – now a two-year-old, who may go into training next year – used to trot loose alongside her.

Last season, Snow Leopardess went chasing, finishing fourth in the National Hunt Chase, so the Becher Chase plan was hatched there and then, and there was a mighty roar as she crossed the line in front at Aintree.

“The grannies [Marietta and Celia Plunkett] were up at 7am on the train going up there and it’s just amazing,” added Alice.

The trainer Charlie Longsdon said: “I’m just lost for words. She’s been a very special mare for us and has won in England, Ireland and France.

“She’s had setbacks – you name it she’s had it – but there she is again, back competing with the best. They pulled well clear of the rest and she got lonely in front. Aidan said he’d have kicked himself if they’d have got beat. She’s a dude and a one in a lifetime for a middle-sized yard like ours.

“She was very clever all the way round – she got in a little close at Valentine’s, but she’s so quick on her feet. I have no idea what now – I know the owners are not sure whether to go for the Grand National but she doesn’t have to go there. Watch this space.

“She is a special story and the Fox-Pitts are special people. We are just very lucky to have her and any jockey would love to ride her.”

You may also like to read…

William Fox-Pitt ‘seizes the moment’ and heads to Pau with horse on a comeback after Bicton nosebleed, plus Olympic reserve

Grand National winner Pineau De Re shines at Blenheim Horse Trials: ‘He’s 18 years old and thoroughly enjoys life – I love him to bits’

British first-timer and former winner share overnight lead after opening day of dressage at Pau Horse Trials

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

If you can’t make it to Aintree for this year’s Grand National (14 April 2018), here’s how to keep up to date with all the nail-biting action by watching the Grand National on TV, radio or online.

Watch the Grand National on TV

On ITV…

This year, the Randox Health Grand National will be shown on ITV’s main channel for the second year in a row, with more than 10 hours’ live footage across the three day Grand National Festival (12-14 April 2018), taking in the major feature races every day.

The coverage on Saturday (14 April 2018) kicks off on ITV at 2pm, with the big race due off at 5.15pm. The live race will be followed by a full replay with analysis to show where viewers’ selections finished.

Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani will host the ITV racing coverage, with expert analysis from Sir AP McCoy, Luke Harvey, Mick Fitzgerald and Brough Scott. Additional reporting will come from Oli Bell and Alice Plunkett, while Matt Chapman will have the latest betting news and Brian Gleeson will provide an Irish angle on the action.

Additionally, Lucy Verasamy will be on hand with the all-important weather forecasts, expert Eva O’Donoghue will give her views from a veterinary perspective, Mark Heyes and Charlotte Hawkins join the team on Friday to cast their eye over the fashions on show, and Richard Hoiles will be in the commentary box throughout.

Thursday 12 April: 2-5pm

On the opening day, three Grade One races headline the ITV Racing card: the Doom Bar Anniversary four-year-old Hurdle (2.20pm), the Betway Bowl (2.50pm) and the Betway Aintree Hurdle (3.25pm), plus the amateur riders go over the Grand National fences in the Randox Health Foxhunters’ Chase (4.05pm).

Friday 13 April: 2-5pm

Ladies’ Day features four Grade One races including the Betway Novices’ Hurdle (2.20pm), Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2.50pm), JLT Melling Chase (3.25pm) and the Doom Bar Sefton NovicesÆ Hurdle (4.40pm), plus the professionals are in action over the big fences in the Randox Health Topham Chase (4.05pm).

Saturday 14 April: 2-6.15pm

Saturday’s feature is the 2018 Randox Health Grand National, due off at 5.15pm, with supporting races on the card including the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2.25pm), Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase (3.00pm), Betway Handicap Chase (3.40pm) and the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle (4.20pm). The live race will be followed by a full replay with analysis to show where viewers’ selections finished.

Alongside ITV’s coverage, daily editions of The Opening Show, presented by Oli Bell, will air on ITV4 every morning throughout the festival to preview each day’s action.

The live coverage on ITV will also be shown at the same time on the ITV Hub (on web and app) for viewers to watch online and via the ITV Racing site. There will also be extensive coverage provided via ITV Racing’s social media channels.

You can also download the free ITV Racing app, which includes the popular ITV7 competition with pots of £50,000 on Thursday and Friday, and of £100,000 on Grand National day.

On Racing UK…

The subscription racing channel will be previewing the Grand National action at 1pm on Tuesday 10 April. The channel will provide live coverage from Aintree during all three days of the Grand National Festival, from 1pm each day.

Grand National 2018 on radio

Thursday 12 April: 1-4.15pm 

5 live Racing on sports extra, with commentary of the main races also on BBC Radio 5 live.

Friday 13 April: 1-4.15pm

5 live Racing on sports extra, with commentary of the main races also on BBC Radio 5 live.

Saturday 14 April: 11am-6pm

BBC Radio 5 live build-up to the Grand National and commentaries of races around live football coverage.

Don’t miss H&H’s Grand National preview — including our ultimate form guide and much more — on sale on Thursday, 12 April. And you can read the full report from the Grand National meeting in H&H magazine on Thursday 19 April

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

Racing fans are in for treat this season as 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy is to join the Channel 4 Racing team.

AP’s first broadcast will be on Saturday 14 November, at The Open at Cheltenham.

“I’ve been very lucky and privileged to have enjoyed a fantastic career as a jump jockey,” said AP.

“I’m looking forward to working with Channel 4 over the next year and delighted to be back at some of the main festivals with a top presenting team.”

The former jockey will also be working on several other major days throughout the season including the Hennessy Gold Cup, the King George, Cheltenham’s January Trials meeting, two days from the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National.

It will not only be jump racing, as AP will also be working on the Derby, the Ebor and British Champions Day.

AP joins a line-up of presenters that includes Clare Balding, Nick Luck, Mick Fitzgerald, Emma Spencer, Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad, Jim McGrath, Graham Cunningham, Simon Holt and Tanya Stevenson.

Clare said: “I love the sport, the horses and the people in racing; and I feel particularly privileged to get the chance to work with AP McCoy. To hear his unique insight and opinion will be fascinating for all of us.”

After dominating the sport for two decades, AP McCoy rode his last race at Sandown Park on Saturday 25 April.

He retired on a career total of 4,357 winners and bowed out having been crowned champion jockey for the 20th year in succession.

AP won nearly every major race including two Cheltenham Gold Cups, three Champion Hurdles and the Grand National.

In 2010 he was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Ed Havard, Channel 4’s Head of TV Events, said: “AP is the most celebrated jockey in the world and is one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. His unrivalled knowledge of the sport will be an absolutely massive asset to our coverage and viewers will benefit from the insights of the most famous name in the sport.

“Together with our existing team AP will help take Channel 4’s racing coverage to new levels. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome him to Channel 4.”

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

Enjoy the H&H team’s top tweets from the equestrian twitterverse this week.

The week on twitter

1 National Hunt trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies takes an interesting angle on optimum eyewear for the solar eclipse

2 Meanwhile, event rider Bruce Haskell has a fair point with regards to the eclipse

3 Alice Plunkett makes the most of her time filming at the Bradstock’s yard celebrating their Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree

4 A mare and foal trying their hand at equine spooning

5 We can taste the dirt from here — ouch

6 And finally, Notting Hill star and mega Hollywood actor Hugh Grant looks as though he could be finally joining us at Horse & Hound HQ — your desk is ready, Hugh

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

Channel 4 Racing’s presenting team has had a shake up — bringing in some new names and dropping some familiar faces, in the form of John McCririck and Derek Thompson.

McCririck told the Racing Post he was “devastated” not to be included, while Derek Thompson was also “very disappointed”.

At the helm, Racing UK and the Morning Line’s Nick Luck is to join Clare Balding as lead presenter on the new line up, from January.

Clare will be supported by Nick at all the premium racing events — including Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National meeting, the Derby Festival, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and British Champions Day. He will also anchor the regular Saturday afternoon programmes.

“I would like to thank Channel 4 and IMG for what is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” said Nick. “Together, they have some fantastic and dynamic ideas to drive the sport forward and I very much look forward to being part of the new team.”

Nick and Clare will be joined by Alice Plunkett, Emma Spencer, Rishi Persad, Jim McGrath, Graham Cunningham and Mick Fitzgerald.

Commentary will be by Simon Holt and Richard Hoiles. Betting will be with Tanya Stevenson.

Attheraces presenter Gina Bryce and jump jockey Sam Thomas will also join the team “in time”.

Also absent from the new team are Alastair Down and Mike Cattermole. John Francome ruled himself out as soon as the announcement was made that Highflyer would not get the contract to produce the programme and Lesley Graham is the new chief executive of Racing Welfare

The first show with the new team will be from Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday 1 January 2013.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4’s sports editor, added: “Being the new home of horseracing is a real privilege and I’m delighted to announce this carefully selected team of presenters and reporters; a mix of broadcasting heavyweights and racing experts.

“Sports fans have something to look forward to – our racing coverage will be insightful,intelligent and ground-breaking. I’m hugely excited about the future of racing on Channel 4 and greatly look forward to 2013.”

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

Channel 4 racing presenter Alice Plunkett, trainer and 1988 Grand National winner Brendan Powell, international dressage riders Andrew Gould and Daniel Timpson and H&H news editor Abigail Butcher lined up last Thursday in a charity race for Spinal Research at Goodwood.

In a close finish, Alice riding the John Dunlop trained Balnagore and Brendan aboard Kerriemuir Lass owned by JP McManus, forged ahead in the final furlong to take first and second respectively. Abigail, aboard Hawkstar Express trained by James Boyle and owned by Inside Track Racing Club, finished third.

“I haven’t ridden in a race for years — it’s going to hurt tomorrow, but what a buzz,” said former point-to-point jockey Alice afterwards. “I was wearing Mick Fitzgerald’s boots and Rilly Goschen’s breeches on, so I had all the right kit!”

She added: “It was brilliant fun, my biggest fear was getting a leg-up and then making it to the post in one piece, but I managed. I was very lucky because I was riding a Ferrari in a go-cart race, thanks to the generosity of Mr Dunlop.”

Also taking part in the charity race, run over 1 mile 3 furlongs, was polo player Richard Buckfield and charity race veteran Leon Nurse.

Double bronze Olympic medallist Tina Cook was due to ride until her horse went lame the weekend before. Instead, the event rider started the race.

“It was a real honour to be asked to take part in the race — it’s the chance of a lifetime to race around Goodwood,” said Abi, who tried to gain an advantage by training solidly for two weeks beforehand, riding out for Epsom-based James Boyle and Newmarket trainer John Berry.

Some others, however, hadn’t done quite as much preparation.

“I had a quick canter at Jim Boyle’s and one ride on my horse, Morestead, beforehand,” said Andrew Gould, who was taking advice from Abi while walking the course on how to bridge his reins.

Third place from seven was a slight improvement on Abi’s last race, when she finished fifth of 11 at Plumpton on Easter Monday 2006.

“I just wish I hadn’t had my stirrups so short this time — I borrowed a jockey’s saddle and the leathers wouldn’t go any longer, so I completely ran out of steam in the last furlong and couldn’t push my horse on any more!”

She added: “It’s very kind of Jim Boyle and the owners of Hawkstar Express to let me have the ride.”

The Goodwood celebrity charity race raised about £25,000 for Spinal Research, Racing Welfare and local Sussex charity Boxgrove Priory.

Alice added: “Spinal Research is very much close to our hearts and a charity our industry should support.”

To make a donation, visit www.spinal-research.org

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