Nick Luck Daily Podcast

The Saturday Edition - Ep. 68 by Nick Luck

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They lead with the entry for the Dublin Racing Festival - stellar, but notable for its absence of UK-based runners. Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of one of the two British entries, joins the conversation to give his view. Looking ahead to Saturday's racing, Nick catches up with Chris Honour, who talks while on board his Kempton hopeful Tile Tapper, while also commenting on the chances of Warwick Classic Chase fancy Grumpy Charley. Later in the show, Nick and Lydia reflect on the strong attendances from the Christmas period, while George Baker drops in from Bahrain, Megan O'Leary gives us the latest on the Godolphin Flying Start, and NIcki Strong introduces the new Racing Welfare App.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest news and developments from around the racing world. They lead with the news that Davy Russell is to make a brisk comeback to the saddle just weeks after retiring in order to cover for the injured Jack Kennedy. The veteran rider explains all to Nick. Looking ahead to the UK action this weekend, Nick catches up with Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Classic Chase fancy Guetapan Collonges, who also updates us on his star novice hurdler Rare Edition. Ben Case explains why Lanzarote Hurdle defending champ Cobblers Dream is back over hurdles, while Nick and Lee speculate over contingency plans for the Lingfield Winter Million of it falls to the weather and cast an eye over the newly elected jockey club members. Martin Kelly drops in on the Road to Riyadh, which features important Saudi Cup entry news this week.

Nick is joined by broadcaster for Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They begin by perusing the entries for the Grade One open hurdles at Cheltenham, and are joined by Harry Fry, who talks about the options open to Love Envoi, and also gives the lowdown on his three Betfair Hurdle entries, this weekend's Lanzarote and the targets for Boothill. Also on today's show, Channel 7's Lizzie Jelfs reports from Australia's Gold Coast on the Magic Millions sales and raceday, JA McGrath brings the latest from Hong Kong, while ARKEquine's Kirsty McCann tells us of a new initiative that has taken stable staff catering to new heights at Naas racecourse. Meanwhile, Jim Bolger pays tribute to US owner/breeder Virginia Kraft Payson, who has died aged 92.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They round-up running plans for forthcoming weeks, chief amongst them the news that Grand National winner Noble Yeats is firmly on course for Lingfield next weekend, as trainer Emmet Mullins explains to Nick. Then, in a wide-ranging and detailed interview Anthony Bromley, racing manager to leading owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, joins the show to discuss the many exciting horses to have raced and won in the green silks through the last few weeks, notably Blue Lord, Zambella, James du Berlais, El Fabiolo and Impaire et Passe. Later in the show, Micheal Orlandi, from Starfield Stud and Compass Stallions, is this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing and bloodstock world. They lead with the weekend's headline story surrounding the non-payment of £20m worth of yearlings purchased at worldwide bloodstock auctions, and consider the implications therein with FBA Chair Oliver St Lawrence. Also on today's show, Gordon Elliott gives us the latest on Jack Kennedy's injury and possible timetable comeback, while Paul Nicholls analyses his novice hurdle squad off the back of Tahmuras's Tolworth victory, Johnny Burke discusses Love Envoi's progress, and Kim Bailey bemoans new rules that will prevent him running Chianti Classico at the Festival.

In the first Saturday Edition of 2023, Charlotte Greenway recaps on the news this week that revisions have been made to the impending whip rules changes as Lee Mottershead explains, while David Jones, BHA, gives his views.

Action this weekend from Sandown features the Grade 1 Tolworth Novice Hurdle and Pat Gallagher who owns the favourite, Authorised Speed, shares his hopes for this weekend while Jamie Snowden hopes his runner might be able to outrun his odds. Also at Sandown on Saturday is the Veterans Chase final where trainer Nick Kent runs 13 year old Crosspark and provides an upbeat bulletin on his wellbeing.

Finally, with Grade 1 action from Naas in Ireland on Sunday, Lydia Hislop runs through the runners and considers whether anything can upset the Willie Mullins hotpot.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world today. They lead with running plans: Tony Bloom's manager Sean Graham confirms that Energumene will face off against Edwardstone in Ascot's Clarence House Chase, while Dan Skelton joins the show to point Protektorat to the Cotswold Chase in preference to Lingfield. He also updates us on Midnight River, Nube Negra and Ballygriffin Cottage. Trainer Nick Kent looks ahead to Crosspark's run in the Veterans' Final at Sandown tomorrow, while Nick and Lydia peruse the Grade One action either side of the Irish Sea. Ed Crisford examines the chances of his favourite Algiers in Rd 1 of the Maktoum Challenge in Dubai, while Kate Hunter looks at the likely international impact of Japanese horses in 2023. Lydia puts a button on this week's news regarding the whip rule revisions.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest news and developments from around the racing world. They lead with news of another slump in racecourse attendances through 2022, despite encouraging signs from the Christmas period. RCA CEO David Armstrong joins the show to offer his perspective. With the continuing fallout over the revision of the whip regulations, Nick talks to Steering Group member and World Horse Welfare boss Roly Owers for his take on the process. Later in the show, trainer Jamie Snowden reflects on some excellent performances from his novice hurdlers recently, looks ahead to Saturday's Tolworth Hurdle with Colonel Harry, and explains why Ga Law has a Gold Cup entry. Further afield, Martin Kelly brings his update from Riyadh, while Tom Dascombe looks forward to the opening week of Dubai's International Carnival with two interesting chances.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They begin by examining the latest revision to the intended suite of whip regulations, with a lengthy contribution from BHA Non-exec Director David Jones, who Chaired the steering group on continued use of the whip. With entries out for the marquee chases at the Cheltenham Festival, Nick catches up with Sam Thomas, who explains why a horse not seen for over three years is among entries for the Ryanair and Gold Cup, while Joe Chambers offers a glimmer of hope that Monkfish may yet make it to this year's Festival. JA McGrath brings his weekly report from Hong Kong.