Nick Luck Daily Podcast

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.

Nick is joined by renowned broadcaster Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the latest news and developments from around the racing world. They begin by reflecting on an interesting half term report from Nicky Henderson, which focuses on his top open hurdlers and throws up talking points surrounding Constitution Hill. Also on today's show, in-form Trainer Sandy Thomson looks forward to Dingo Dollar's run in this weekend's veterans' final, Oliver Sherwood nominates Market Rasen as the next destination for Queen's Gamble, and James Reveley reflects on being crowned French Champion jockey for the second time. In bloodstock news, breeder Liz Lucas (Swanbridge blooodstock) celebrates the Cheltenham success of Midnight River, while - in association with Weatherbys - Mathieu Alex talks about his new role running Haras De Beaumont, the breeding arm of the Chehboub family's Haras de la Gousserie.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates for the first show of 2023. Trainer Alan King kicks off proceedings today with news of Edwardstone, nominating the Clarence House at Ascot as his next target, followed by the Game Spirit at Newbury. Nick and Dave look back at the weekend action - Minella Indo, Hermes Allen and Marie's Rock are under the spotlight - in the company of bloodstock agent Tom Malone, who has sourced a number of exciting recruits who have struck in bumpers recently for Paul Nicholls. Nick and Dave also discuss Harry Skelton's new trademark celebration, and reflect on the career of Mark Johnston, as Nick talks to his son Charlie, who has his first runner with a sole license today. Later in the show, we hear from Pat Gallagher, owner of Tolworth Hurdle favourite Authorized Speed, and Daily Telegraph writer Marcus Armytage tells us what it feels like to ride Constitution Hill.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan for the final Daily Show of 2022. They reflect on the notable landmarks posted over the last few days - Mullins, Buick, O'Brien - with particular focus on Willie Mullins's haul of Grade 1s, bolstered again at Leopardstown yesterday. Willie's brother Tom, who defeated him in the bumper with a 'for sale' homebred offers his thoughts on what he believes is his "most exciting horse since Menorah", and talks candidly about the need for smaller trainers to be traders to survive. Fergal O'Brien joins the show to talk about reaching the 100-winner mark for the season plus his three runners in Saturday's Challow Hurdle at Newbury, while Middleham Park's Tom Palin looks forward to Marie's Rock's return at Cheltenham Sunday. With encouraging attendance figures over the Christmas period, Chepstow's Phil Bell tells Nick why closer links with Welsh government during the pandemic may have helped raise racing's profile in Wales. Plus, Jane gives her four fancies for the big Festival races with the Christmas action in the rearview.

Tom in for Nick and joined by senior writer at the Racing Post Lee Mottershead. Lee and Tom first look ahead to today’s Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown and ask just how good State man is, or at least needs to be to win today and whether he could be a threat to Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle. We look back at yesterday’s action and hear from Conflated’s rider Jack Kennedy after his Savills Chase win and from Home By The Lee’s trainer Joseph O’Brien after his Christmas Hurdle success. Jospeh also tells us about High Definition’s likely next run. It's a busy weekend of racing in the UK and Lee looks ahead to that, whilst we hear from trainer Olly Murphy who will be represented by five runners at Cheltenham including Thunder Rock in the Dipper and Brewin'upastorm in the Relkeel. Plus it's Thursday so we have the latest from Saudi Arabia with Martin Kelly.

Tom in for Nick and joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to review another stellar day’s racing from Britain and Ireland yesterday. We start with The Two Amigos winning the Coral Welsh National and trainer Nicky Martin joins us to reflect on the win. Tom and Rishi also look back at the Kempton features won by Boothill and Editeur Du Gite. Blue Lord and Facile Vega won their Grade 1s at Leopardstown on a day of domination for Willie Mullins and Blue Lord’s rider Daryl Jacob tells us what he made of that performance. The only race to go elsewhere was the feature handicap won my Real Steel and trainer Eric McNamara joins us to talk about the win. We hear from Danny Mullins about his rides in today's two Grade 1s, notably Flooring Porter in the Christmas Hurdle. And it’s Wednesday so time to check in with Hong Kong and Jim McGrath.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world in a bumper post-Boxing day edition. They review all the top class action from Britain and Ireland in the company of King George winning trainer Paul Nicholls, his former assistant Harry Derham, who saddled his first winner yesterday, Bill Esdaile, owner of Rare Edition, and Wendy Hamilton, who achieved the stable feat of producing the rider and horse who won the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. Later in the show, Nick talks to Grant Knowles from Cape Racing Sales to talk about the rejuvenation of South African bloodstock ahead of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale, while Lydia and Nick discuss the triumphant start to Frankie Dettori's spell in California.

The Saturday Edition - Ep. 66 by Nick Luck

Tom in for Nick and joined by RTE and RTV broadcaster Jane Mangan. We discuss the news that Ahoy Señor is set to run in the King George having originally been aiming for the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. Sam Twiston-Davies is lined up for some big rides at Kempton and discusses the prospect of winning his 2nd King George. He rides Hitman and possibly I Like To Move for father Nigel in the Christmas Hurdle. With the news of pushback from the PJA on the BHA’s proposed new whip rules we ask what this means for the future and whether there could and should be changes made to the proposals. Gordon Elliott has given Tom the lowdown on his Christmas runners and Jane assesses their respective chances. Grade 1 winning chaser Kalashnikov is back after over 18 months off and his trainer Amy Murphy joins us to talk about his reappearance in the Rowland Meyrick. We have our monthly check in with the Godolphin Flying Start team as Annie O’Rourke tells us about her experience and it’s Thursday so we’ve the latest for the Saudi Arabian racing circuit with Martin Kelly.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest developments from around the racing world today. With the latest entry stage for the racing in the UK and Ireland on busy Boxing Day complete, Nick and Lee look ahead to some of the highlights. They are joined by Rich Ricci's manager Joe Chambers, who confirms Royale Pagaille on course for the King George and spins through a host of exciting runners in Ireland over the festive period, while Hughie Morrison talks about his quirky stable star Not So Sleepy, who tries something new in the Long Walk hurdle. Hughie also writes his racing manifesto for 2023. Nick and Lee talk about Joe Saumarez Smith's extension of tenure at the BHA and Monday night's parliamentary reception, while JA McGrath brings his update from Hong Kong and Darley head stallion man Max Nudd talks about the stallions returning to Newmarket from shuttling duties in Australia.