Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by Katherine Ford, correspondent for Equidia and Sky Sports Racing, to discuss the latest developments from France that have seen ex Champion jockey and successful trainer David Cottin arrested - with 22 others - as part of a nationwide police investigation into the fraudulent use of drugs in racing. Nick is then joined from Dubai by regular correspondent Rishi Persad, who brings us his perspective on the effects of the draw, which took place yesterday ahead of the Dubai World Cup. Charlotte Russell from Go Racing In Yorkshire looks ahead to the Flat turf season in the UK with news of a special bonus involving the 9 Yorkshire racecourses, while trainer Charlie Longsdon expresses his relief that his star mare Snow Leopardess is guaranteed to make the cut in the Grand National. JA McGrath joins Nick with his weekly bulletin from Hong Kong and also pays tribute to the life and career of Jimmy Lindley, his former BBC colleague and great jockey, who has died aged 86.

Nick is joined by veteran Daily Mirror scribe David Yates to discuss the news and events from around the racing world today. They touch on the Dubai World Cup, the start of the Flat turf season at Doncaster, the appointment of a new PJA Chief Executive with the Robbie Dunne appeal impending and the latest in the Bob Baffert case. But they lead with the news that Honeysuckle will have one more year in training, and are joined by Peter Moloney, racing and breeding manager to the mare's owner Kenny Alexander. Later in the show, in conjunction with Weatherbys, Nick talks to Highclere Stud's Jake Warren about the history of the family operation, the management and marketing of stallions in a competitive market, and his roles with Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Royal Patronage, Harrow etc. for this season) and Sheikh Isa's burgeoning project in Bahrain.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV analyst Jane Mangan to canter through the news and events from around the racing world. They take a brisk look at their Cheltenham highs and lows, from Rachael to Russell to the ground and more. Nick talks at length to Venetia Williams about her outstanding week with runners whose SP averaged over 36/1. Later in the show, Nick looks ahead to International action in Dubai this week - including the breeze up sales - with Laura King, while Annabel Neasham reflects on the latest success in Australia for all star mile winner Zaaki.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop for a Cheltenham Gold Cup day special. As well as analysing this year's race, Nick and Lydia look back on their highlights of the week. Among today's guests are Evan Williams, trainer of Thursday winner Coole Cody, Frank Berry, who rode Glencarraig Lady to win the Gold Cup 50 years ago today, and ROA Owner of the Day Olly Harris, whose Porticello is running in today's Triumph Hurdle. Sam Hockenhull brings us the market moves from Fitzdares, Neil Phillips supplies the wine, and we get the final instalment of the week from resident artist Liz Armstrong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead on St Patrick's Day ahead of another day of top quality sport at the Cheltenham Festival. They ask some key questions that emerged from a soggy Day 2: Should the Clerk have watered the course the previous night? Should Tiger Roll's connections have spoiled their own party with Delta Work? Was it just the ground that beat Shishkin? Nick talks to delighted winning connections: Global Citizen's trainer Ben Pauling and owner of L'Homme Presse Andy Edwards, while Wine Tipster Neil Phillips revels in the second place finish of his Funambule Sivola and resident artist Liz Armstrong talks about painting Tiger Roll. Sam Hockenhull from Fitzdares provides the betting news.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan on Day 2 of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Reflecting on Honeysuckle's ruthless efficiency and Constitution Hill's breathtaking brilliance, Nick and Jane consider the potential match up at Punchestown as well as looking ahead to Shishkin/Energumene round 2 and so much more. On a better than expected day for British Racing and Breeding, Edwardstone's co-owner/breeder Robert Abrey revels in the joy of yesterday's Arkle, while Lucinda Russell talks Corach Rambler and today's Brown Advisory fancy Ahoy Senor. JA McGrath takes time out from Cheltenham to take us to Hong Kong, while resident artist Liz Armstrong joins the party again.

Nick is joined by David Yates, Newsboy from the Daily Mirror, to look ahead to the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. Broadcasting from the Fitzdares Club, Nick is also joined by trainer Paul Webber, whose 2020 winner Indefatigable is back for more in the Mares' Hurdle, and by Joe Chambers, racing manager to Rich Ricci, on the talking horse Gaelic Warrior. Fitzdares' Sam Hockenhull brings us the latest news from the trading room, while NLD resident artist Liz Armstrong talks about what inspires her equine work, Wine Tipster Neil Phillips revels in part ownership of Champion Chase winner Funambule Sivola, and Roisin Close of Chapel Stud is hopeful of one day breeding Festival winners as we go around the bloodstock world with Weatherbys.

Tom in for Nick and joined by senior writer at the Racing Post Lee Mottershead to at first reflect on a brilliant performance from Surprise Package in the Imperial Cup and what that might mean for the week ahead at Cheltenham. We are joined by Jack Kennedy who tells us of the disappointment of not getting the ride on Minella Indo in the Gold Cup and discusses the week ahead. Joe Tizzard is along to talk about the team he's sending to Cheltenham this week and Lee also has news of a proposed all weather track in Newmarket.

In episode 30 of the Saturday Edition, Charlotte Greenway looks ahead to the Cheltenham Festival next week and recaps on some of the interviews from the podcast this week with connections of runners.

Trainer, Henry Daly, confirms that leading hope for the Ballymore Novices Hurdles on Friday will take his place, all being well and nominates other runners for the week. It’s a bust week for bloodstock agent, Tom Malone, as nearly 50 of his purchases will run over the four days spearheaded by the favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices Chase, Bravemansgame, along with the likes of Riviere D’etele, Stage Star and Adagio. Emmet Mullins was successful at last year’s festival with The Shunter, when behind closed doors, and runs through his intended runners this time around which include last year’s victor. Amateur rider, David Maxwell, claimed the Irish version of the Foxhunters at Punchestown and looks to do the same on home turf aboard Bob and Co and he also gives a positive update on Kim Muir hopeful Cat Tiger.

Nick is joined by journalist and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to look at the news and events from around the racing world. Today, Nick and Lydia gallop through many of the pre-Cheltenham talking points, including whether Jack Kennedy will be reunited with Minella Indo in the Gold Cup. They discuss at some length the "5 day Festival" debate, considering how concerted the PR effort might be and to what end, tying this in with a look at the existing Festival structure and the real possibility of a minuscule field for at least one of next week's Grade Ones. Lydia also has her say on the changes at the BHA, while Tom Dascombe talks about his impending move to Lambourn, and James Willoughby runs the TRC rankings rule over the classic generation in Australia, US and UK, plus comments on the recent pattern races in Dubai.