Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by journalist, broadcaster and "Road to Cheltenham" creator Lydia Hislop to discuss the news and events from around the racing world. With Shishkin getting the bulk of the love from pod guests this week in the run up to Saturday's potentially epic clash at Ascot, Lydia makes the case for Willie Mullins's young star Energumene. Nick and Lydia also discuss Robbie Dunne's appeal and the mechanics of the process, while they reflect both on John Whittingdale's address to the BGC yesterday and a cautiously encouraging outlook for the UK Tote. Nick talks to in-form owner Tim Syder about his love of the sport and his ownership philosophy, while Darley Australia's Head of Stallions Alastair Pulford joins the show to discuss the growth and significance of stallion shuttling. James Willoughby predicts how 2022 might play out globally with his weekly rankings update, while JA McGrath considers Golden Sixty's bid for a record equalling 17th consecutive win at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the day's news and events from around the racing world. With the clash between Energumene and Shishkin confirmed for Saturday, Nick and Dave discuss the lead up to the event in the company of David Minton, the bloodstock agent who bought Shishkin (as well as other Henderson galacticos in this division Sprinter Sacre and Altior) and Paul Nicholls, who is swerving the race in favour of a later date with his useful novice Hitman. Nicholls also has news of running plans for other stable stars, including a possible tilt at the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham for Frodon in preference to the Dublin Racing Festival. Later in the show, professional gambler Patrick Veitch shares his concerns surrounding the gambling review and presses racing to make its case for variable thresholds for affordability checks between sports and casino betting.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the news and events from around the racing world. Among topics of discussion today are Ireland opening up sporting events to significant crowds following the latest data, the appointment of an independent auditor to examine the IHRB doping protocols, the small entry for Cheltenham Novice Chases, and the reported move of Classic winning trainer Hugo Palmer to Michael Owen's Manor House Stables. Nick talks to Donald McCain, the first jumps trainer to reach 100 winners this season's and to Kenny McPeek, responsible for four horses that are prominent in the 2nd future pool for the 2022 Kentucky Derby. JA McGrath is back on the Hong Kong beat, with news of some vaccination issues that are troubling some high profile professionals in the territory.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to talk over the latest news and events from around the racing world. They begin with some crowd figures published today that detail a fall in attendances from many corresponding fixtures in 2019, and discuss the nuances and significance of those figures in the company of RCA boss David Armstrong. Ahead of this weekend's big race at Ascot, Nick catches up with Kim Bailey, trainer of the defending champion First Flow, and gets a ground update from Clerk Chris Stickels. Meanwhile, Irish trainer Ronan McNally joins the show once again to express his dissatisfaction over the reception given to the running of his horse Petrol Head at Warwick on Saturday, while Sean Tugel of the historic Gainesway Farm in Kentucky, is our bloodstock guest in association with Weatherbys.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest news and events from around the horseracing world. As they look ahead to the clash between Shishkin and Energumene at Ascot this weekend, and consider the impact of the Lingfield Winter Million that surrounds it, they ponder the persistent notion that this new fixture could eventually find its home at Windsor, perhaps as part of a Festival of Racing in that part of Berkshire. Trainer Nicky Henderson joins the show to give his approval to the return of jumping to the Thameside venue, while also expressing his excitement at the weekend's racing. Later in the show, Anthony Bromley pays tribute to legendary French agent David Powell, who died yesterday, while Fitzdares' Sam Hockenhull drops in for an opening show on First Season Sires for 2022.

In the latest episode of the Saturday Edition, Charlotte Greenway looks ahead to the weekend action from Kempton and Warwick as well a word on a runner at Kelso on Sunday.

Harry Derham, assistant trainer, discusses the runners from Paul Nicholls's Dicheat yard this weekend and seems pretty confident ahead of Threeunderthrufive's bids to land the Grade 2 novice chase at Warwick.

Peter Scudamore gives his thoughts on his 'partner in crime' and his chance in the Warwick feature, the Classic Chase, who is looking to emulate former stablemate One For Arthur.

Jamie Duff, assistant trainer to Lucinda Russell, looks after GBR Horse of the Month, Big River, who runs at Kelso on Sunday where he'll be looking to land his 8th-course success, and she offers a fascinating insight into what he has been like to train over the last few years and how they have dealt with his anxiety.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the latest news and events from around the horseracing world. They lead with the news, as reported in the Daily Mail, that the Cheltenham Gold Cup is still without a sponsor, and debate the contention that the Festival brand remains significantly damaged by the perception of the event as a super spreader at the beginning of the pandemic. Also on today's show, Nick and Cornelius look ahead to the weekend action - weather permitting - at Warwick and Kempton, with Peter Scudamore dropping in for a chat about the chances of Coragh Rambler in Warwick's feature race. With the Dubai World Cup Carnival getting underway at Meydan, Nick talks to owner Bill Esdaile, dreaming of desert glory with sprinter King of Stars, while James Willoughby looks ahead to the Pegasus, Saudi Cup and beyond in a comprehensive edition of the TRC Global Rankings.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They lead this morning with the news that Royal Ascot will reduce capacity across all enclosures with the intention of providing a more comfortable customer experience. Nick is joined by Ascot's commercial director Felicity Barnard to discuss how this move can work in the long term. Nick and Rishi also talk about the return to a £1m Grand National in 2022, the start of the Dubai Carnival, and the entry for the Saudi Cup. With horses fetching huge money at an immense clearance rate at the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast, Nick talks to trainer Annabel Neasham, who also has news of Zaaki's wellbeing, while Jaimie Duff, a lynchpin of Lucinda Russell's stable, tells us about the popular Big River - winner of the inaugural GBR Horse of the Month - and Coragh Rambler, favourite for this weekend's Classic Chase at Warwick.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the day's news and events from around the world of horseracing. They lead with the sad news of the death of Snowfall, the runaway Oaks heroine of 2021. They consider her unconventional and occasionally spellbinding career in the company of owner Paul Smith, on behalf of the Coolmore Partners. Nick and Lydia also cast an eye over the latest raft of entries for the Grade One hurdle races at the Cheltenham Festival, look ahead to this weekend's racing from Warwick and Kempton, consider the impact of the Lingfield Million on the existing racing programme, and talk more about the sport's responsibilities ahead of the gambling review. Later in the show, Nick talks extensively to British jockey Harry Bentley about how he is adapting to riding and life in Hong Kong, while JA McGrath brings his weekly update.

Nick is joined by Racing Post writer and broadcaster, Maddy Playle, to discuss the latest horse racing news from around the world. They lead with the news that Robbie Dunne has had a seven-day extension to appeal against the 18-moth ban he was handed last month, for bullying and harassment. They also discuss the calls for a race in England, purely for syndicated horses.

Simon Clare, of Ladbrokes Coral, is along to discuss their sponsorship of Kempton Park fixtures and the prize money boost for this weekend's Coral Lanzarote Hurdle card.

Multiple Cheltenham Festival and Irish Grand National-winning jockey, Nina Carberry, discusses her latest challenge after signing up for Dancing With The Stars, having been described as the 'dark horse' after topping the rankings in week 1.

Neil Edmundson is along to tell us more about the album, he and his band, including Deidre Johnston, will shortly be releasing in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund and Racing Welfare.

Darley's Director of Stallions at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, Sam Bullard, is this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock guest and discusses their current roster as well as giving his thoughts on the possibility of limiting a stallion's book of mares each year, in the US.