Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates and winning rider Danny Mullins to reflect on the barnstorming performance of longshot Tornado Flyer in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park yesterday, the UK jumps racing mid season showpiece. Nick and Dave also review the remainder of the Boxing Day action, while James Willoughby drops in to talk about the two standout international performances of the festive period from Efforia in Japan and Flightline in the USA. Following the commentary after the Tylicki/Gibbons verdict in the HighCourt, Nick is joined by Tylicki's solicitor Harry Stewart Moore, who casts doubt on the notion that this will have the grave ramifications for the sport that have been widely suggested.

Tom in for Nick and joined by senior writer at the Racing Post Lee Mottershead. We start with news that Freddy Tylicki has won his high court case brought against fellow rider Graham Gibbons and what this might mean for the sport. There is also news that PJA Chief Executive Paul Struthers has stood down and Lee gives his views. With Covid wreaking havoc across the UK and further restrictions now imposed in Scotland, we discuss what might be on the agenda for England ahead of a busy festive period and Kempton Park's General Manager Simon Durrant joins us to look ahead to Boxing Day. Trainer Lucinda Russell confirms Ahoy Senor is an intended runner in the Kauto Star on that day and Gavin Cromwell is along to talk of his plans for the likes of Vanillier, Gabynako and Flooring Porter. Plus Jim McGrath gives us the latest from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They begin by digesting the news from the Welsh Assembly that Covid restrictions in Wales have forced the Welsh National to take place behind closed doors, and consider what that could mean in England and Scotland, with the help of RCA CEO David Armstrong. Coral Director Simon Clare gives the sponsor's perspective on this significant blow to the industry, while Joe Tizzard drops in to talk about the chances of Native River and Elegant Escape, as well as Lostintranslation in the King George at Kempton. This week's trip around the Bloodstock world with Weatherbys features an extended interview with Cheveley Park MD Chris Richardson, who reflects on the twin legacies of David Thompson and the stallion Pivotal, plus the burgeoning success of new sire Ulysses and the extraordinary National Hunt string, including Gold Cup and Savills Chase favourite A Plus Tard.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the news and events from around the racing world. The are joined by Rachael Blackmore who drops in from Manchester airport, much as she did last night when adding the BBC World Sports Star award to an already huge list of accolades and achievements in 2021. With the promise of more to come over the festive period, Nick and Jane consider what to expect from Rachael's mounts Minella Indo and A Plus Tard in the King George and Savills Chase respectively, while Jane also expresses strong views on the next steps for Long walk hurdle hero Champ, is firmly in the Jonbon fan club and considers the immediate future of Oisin Murphy after his disciplinary issues that we documented before the weekend. Sky Sports presenter Josh Apiafi also joins the show to discuss the new Racing Media Academy.

Episode 22 of the Saturday Edition with Charlotte Greenway looks ahead to racing at this weekend where the feature race is the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, over three miles.

Charlotte speaks to Jonjo O'Neill Jnr who has a good book of rides on Saturday. These include Champ who Jonjo gets on for the first time, as he reverts back to hurdles after a disappointing display in the Gold Cup, as well as Pencilfulloflead, Palmers Hill, Cloth Cap and Garry Clermont

Charlotte also recaps on the conversation, from earlier in the week, between Tom Stanley and Olly Murphy, where Olly talks about his runners on Saturday which include Thomas Darby in the Long Walk Hurdle, Mackleduff and Calipso Collonges who both head to Haydock.

Nick is joined by broadcaster and writer Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the day's news and events from around the racing world. They lead with a story that has rocked the sport - the revelation that multiple UK champion jockey Oisin Murphy has handed in his licence with immediate effect, coinciding with a number of charges brought against him by the BHA for breaches of COVID protocol and permitted alcohol levels. Nick and Cornelius also discuss the split between Michael Owen and Tom Dascombe, the cocaine suspensions in Ireland, while they look ahead to some of the racing at Ascot this weekend. Nick hears from Chelmsford City Director of Racing Neil Graham, who explains the track's policy with regard to ID on entry, while - later in the show - Margaux Herinckx is the latest Godolphin Flying Start trainee to feature, Will Kinsey drops in too talk about the latest Thoroughbid auction, and James Willoughby gives the rundown on the Top 10 Global Jockeys in our weekly TRC rankings update.

Nick is joined by the legendary trainer David Elsworth as he announces his retirement from training after a glittering career as a master under both codes. Fellow trainer Ralph Beckett and Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead provide a commentary on what has defined Elsworth's career. Nick and Lee also discuss today's news, including a major boost for Kempton's Jan and Feb jumps fixtures and the announcement of Charlie Johnston as co-trainer at Kingsley House. Later in the show, Frank Dorff of Gestut Röttgen joins Nick in this week's look around the bloodstock world with Weatherbys, while Natalie O'Rourke from Park Lane Stables shares the news that the ponies are back in TW11 after she received the keys to the property yesterday.

Tom in for Nick and joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to at first reflect on the news that Tattersalls auction house has won its legal case against trainer Tom George and bloodstock agent Alex Elliott. Tom is then joined by Thoroughbred Daily News European editor Emma Berry who gives her views on the wider implications of the case. Tom and Rishi discuss some of the reaction to the Bryony Frost interview in the Sun which featured heavily on yesterday's podcast. Trainer Olly Murphy is along to talk weekend runners, headed by Thomas Darby's intended participation in the Long Walk Hurdle. And Jim McGrath gives his Wednesday Hong Kong update.

Nick is joined by David Yates, Newsboy of the Daily Mirror, to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. Once again, it is hard to keep the ongoing Bryony Frost story away from the lead, as the rider has opened up in a significant interview in The Sun newspaper, her first since the conclusion of the Robbie Dunne hearing last week. As yesterday, there is another major prize money announcement from a British racecourse, this time Ascot, who announce bold plans for the Royal meeting, the Shergar Cup and more via their Director of Racing and Public Affairs Nick Smith. Smith also shares his thoughts on navigating the next stages of the pandemic. Later in this edition, Nick catches up with veteran journalist Geoff Lester, who has recently published his memoir, The Time of my Life.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the day's events from around the racing world. They reflect on the various interviews on the Sunday TV shows with representatives of the BHA and the PJA, and wonder whether the more conciliatory note being struck would presage greater cooperation and understanding off the back of the Robbie Dunne case. In an interview with Jockey Club CEO Nevin Truesdale, Nick finds out more about the increased prize money for 2022 and also Truesdale's philosophy on the best way to grow the sport plus his concerns surrounding bookmakers' affordability checks. Later in the show, trainer William Muir talks about Hong Kong runner-up Pyledriver's possible bid for glory in the Saudi Cup, while Nick and Lydia assess the performance of My Drogo at Cheltenham over the weekend.