Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the news and events from around the racing world. They lead with another spellbinding performance from the novice hurdler Constitution Hill in Saturday's Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown Park, and speculate as to whether it would be sensible to separate him from his stablemate Jonbon at the Cheltenham Festival. Nick talks to the winner's delighted breeder, Sally Noott. Nick and Dave also discuss the new Quality Jump Racing Review Group, more details of which emerged today, and are joined by Levy Board CEO Alan Delmonte to talk through how some of the aspirations might receive funding. Dave reveals that Easysland is now in training with Jonjo O'Neill, while trainer Jeremy Scott drops in to outline plans for stable star Dashel Drasher, which could involve Kempton Park this weekend, and to give a positive bulletin on rider Matt Griffiths as he continues his recovery from an horrendous car accident last year.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the news and events from around the horseracing world. They lead with the publication of the full written reasons for the Robbie Dunne ban in the extensively covered case that concluded before Christmas. Dunne now has seven days to appeal his 18 month suspension. Nick and Lydia also discuss the BHA's new high-level group tasked with reshaping the GB jumps season to enhance competitiveness, and have a word on the impending possible clash between stars Shishkin and Energumene, as well as the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle tomorrow. Gary Moore, a trainer with a terrific record at Sandown, talks to Nick about the chances of Shallwehaveonemore, while Stan Sheppard, GBR jockey of the month, reflects on an excellent few weeks.

Nick is joined in this special edition by Patrick Cummings, Director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, to discuss the plethora of challenging news stories to emerge from US racing in the past few weeks, from the imprisonment of Jorge Navarro, through the many twists and tragic turns of Bob Baffert and Medina Spirit, to the threatened stability of the new Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. Later in this edition, in the company of Rishi Persad, Nick looks ahead to this weekend's Tolworth Hurdle, talks to trainer Ryan Potter about his leading contender J'Etoile, and considers whether the hype surrounding Constitution Hill is actually a positive for the sport.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They lead with the latest on Covid protocol tightening in weighing room areas in Britain, and the worry that a significant upsurge in positive tests could threaten the viability of racing. Meanwhile, in Ireland, Leopardstown CEO Tim Husbands seeks to reassure that the Dublin Racing Festival will be able to proceed with the 5,000 crowd despite racing behind closed doors at Christmas. Nick and Jane peruse the entries for the three big chases at the Festival, while owner Andy Edwards talks about his triumph of persistence with star Novice Chaser L'Homme Presse. Later in this edition, Nick is joined by BGC Chief Michael Dugher as the Gambling Review reaches its critical stages, while JA McGrath gives his latest update from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the news and events from around the racing world. They begin by picking up on Lee's Monday column, which revealed the growing disparity in TV viewing figures in the UK between Flat and Jumps racing and consider the reasons why the winter code is growing, while its more moneyed counterpart is losing viewership. Nick and Lee also talk about the implications thrown up by the recent Tom George vs Tattersalls case in light of the trainer's recent comments, while Nick catches up with both Henry Daly, trainer of exciting Cheltenham winner Hillcrest, and Charlie Johnston, who saddled his first official winner as co-trainer yesterday. Later in this edition, Will Kinsey tells us about the latest Thoroughbid auction as well as his joy at co-owning Stormy Ireland, while Ballyhane's Joe Foley is an enlightening addition as this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror correspondent David Yates to discuss the day's news and events from around the horseracing world. They lead with the story surrounding leading trainer Dan Skelton and the news that he may face BHA charges relating to the sale of a horse in his care under the Trainers' Code of Conduct, They consider the implications of such a charge for the racing and bloodstock industries, the length of time it has taken and how the complainant appears to have details of the charges despite the respondent apparently having not been formally charged. Later in this edition, Nick talks at length to Racing League founder Jeremy Wray, who discusses the changes to the controversial team format and its addition to the ITV schedules. Nick and Dave look back on the weekend's racing, while Professor Caroline Tisdall pays a tribute to the career of her redoubtable chaser Vieux Lion Rouge, who was retired today.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to canter through the day's news and events from around the racing world. They are joined by interim Professional Jockeys' Association CEO Dale Gibson to discuss the challenges presented by mandated testing for jockeys as of Wednesday this week, while Nick and Rishi also discuss the upcoming potential clash between Shishkin and Energumene, the Christmas highlights and ones to watch for 2022. Nick also talks to big-spending owner Darren Yates about his Grand National hopes for yesterday's Haydock hero Blaklion, while - in an extended special - James Willoughby joins to hand out the NLD/TRC Global awards for 2021 for jockey/trainer/sire/horse/race.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest news and events from around the Horseracing world. Today, Nick talks to David Lalor, Chair of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds (IMFHA), and Richard Pugh, founder of PTP.ie, about the clear threat posed to the grassroots of Irish racing by a lack of insurance. Lalor outlines the likely solution, while Pugh sounds a note of caution as to the likely length of the process. Nick and Jane also reflect on the Grade One action in Ireland and England yesterday, with Jane suggesting a lively bet for the Champion Hurdle and a few words of advice for Paul Nicholls. Later in this edition, Nick talks to trainer Francis Graffard about the career of his one-time boss and mentor Alain de Royer Dupre, who saddled his final runner yesterday, while prominent thoroughbred breeder Tegbir Brar joins the show from his Dashmesh Stud, to discuss how Indian racing is dealing with the pandemic and wagering innovations that are having positive effects on the sport's finances in the country.

Nick is joined by Cornelius Lysaght to reflect on the day's news and events from around the world of horseracing. They lead with a truly pulsating clash for the Savills Chase from Leopardstown, won in thrilling style by seven year old Galvin. Nick interviews trainer Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell, who describes this as "one of the most enjoyable days" of his long and storied career. Nick and Cornelius also ask whether another Irish rout at Cheltenham is now looking more likely, while they consider the unsatisfactory start to yesterday's Grade One Christmas Hurdle. Later in the show, Nick catches up with West Waterford trainer and tractor dealer Paddy Corkery, who saddled a Grade one winner from his four horse string at Limerick on Boxing Day. In sharp contrast, JA McGrath brings us his weekly update from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the news and events from around the racing world. They lead today with reaction from Shishkin's devastating victory on his seasonal debut at Kempton yesterday, with significant input from the horse's trainer Nicky Henderson, who describes the horse as moving "like a ballet dancer" this morning. Among a comprehensive digest of all the Christmas racing from the UK and Ireland, Nick also catches up with trainer Sam Thomas, who enjoyed his biggest day as a trainer yesterday with Iwilldoit in the Coral Welsh National. This week's Weatherbys Bloodstock guest is Aga Khan Studs manager Pat Downes, who shares his thoughts on the breeding of the modern thoroughbred and reveals that star mare Tarnawa will visit Frankel in 2022 for her first covering.