Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad with the fourth and fifth days at Royal Ascot set to be changed dramatically by the weather. Torrential rain fell Thursday night into Friday morning, leaving Clerk Chris Stickels fearing that the fixture could fall into some doubt. Nick and Rishi ponder the likely outcomes if the meeting does get the go-ahead, while look back at some of the week's highlights, including the varying fortunes of Subjectivist and Stradivarius in the Gold Cup on Thursday. Nick also talks to trainer David Menuisier and racing manager David Redvers about their chances over the weekend, while James Willoughby analyses this week's star performances through the TRC Rankings prism.

Nick is joined by David Yates, Newsboy of the Daily Mirror, to discuss all the days' racing news, national and worldwide. With two days of Royal Ascot safely in the books, Nick and Dave discuss not only Love's Day Two triumph, but also the controversial start of Stunning Beauty in the day's final race and ask whether there should be a rule change to accommodate losing punters in such instances. In a packed international show, Nick also speaks exclusively to Steve Rosich, CEO of the Victoria Racing Club, about the changes to this year's Melbourne Cup and also comments on the positive drug test recorded by Zaaki. Milliner to the stars Lisa Tan and recently acquired commercial partner David Howden join today's conversation, while Subjectivist's owner Dr Jim Walker wonders whether he can beat Stradivarius in the Gold Cup and Jamie Hart gives us the daily worldpool update.

Nick is joined by Lee Mottershead, senior writer on the Racing Post, to continue the review and preview of Royal Ascot. As the Royal Racecourse bakes in the heat a huge gamble unfolds on an unraced horse in the Windsor Castle. Kaboo's owner, Nick Bradley explains why at the very top of the show. Nick also talks to music agent Emma Banks about Lady Bowthorpe ahead of her run today, while Wesley Ward gives us his update ahead of what promises to be his most productive day of the week and Jamie Hart gives the latest on Worldpool.

Nick is joined by broadcaster and writer Cornelius Lysaght to look ahead to the first day of Royal Ascot and to consider all the day's racing news. In light of the continued assertion from Jim Bolger on yesterday's podcast that Irish racing has an issue with steroids, the IHRB Anti Doping chief Lynn Hillier seeks to offer reassurance.

Nick also brings you all the flavour from the Royal Meeting, talking to trainer Eve Johnson Houghton, Worldpool's Jamie Hart, and make-up artist Scarlett Gray, while Airlie Stud's Tony Rogers joins the Weatherbys Bloodstock guest list.

Nick is joined by broadcaster and journalist Lydia Hislop to discuss the day's racing news on the eve of one of the world's most prestigious fixtures. Senior trainer Jim Bolger, responsible for one of the key 2,000 Guineas fancies Poetic Flare, reiterated his claims of illegal steroid use in racehorses over the weekend, and speaks to Nick in his first major broadcast interview on the subject. Later in this episode, Nick and Lydia preview some of the key Ascot races, while Nick talks to Nicola Currie - armed with good rides on two star two year olds - and Jamie Hart gives the lowdown on worldpool at this year's meeting.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the day's racing news, picking up a familiar refrain that has been given fresh airing in the Racing Post and elsewhere this week: the cluttered nature of Saturday racing and whether it is to the detriment or benefit of the sport. Rishi offers his viewpoint, while York Chief Executive William Derby gives what he refers to as the "worm's eye view" from the standpoint of individual racecourse finances. Alongside more build up to Royal Ascot, and a discussion of the plight of Clerks of the Course in the UK, Nick also talks to David Letts about the Racing with Pride initiative, while James Willoughby looks at all the week's big movers in the TRC Global Rankings.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to round up the day's racing and bloodstock news. Continuing the build up to Royal Ascot next week, they discuss whether Lord North, Stradivarius and Palace Pier will relaunch John and Thady Gosden's season after a quiet time during the European Classics. Nick talks to trainer Charlie Hills, whose seven year old Bataash is another hardy perennial pointing towards the royal meeting, and to Joseph O'Brien, whose two star three year olds - Thunder Moon and Pretty Gorgeous - are both on the comeback trail. Later in this edition, Nick catches up with Goffs Director and Auctioneer Nick Nugent to discuss this week's trade at the Land Rover Sale and to preview the Goffs London Sale on the eve of Ascot.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the day's national and international racing news. With the Derby posting a below-par TV rating this year, Nick and Lee ask if there is genuine cause for concern and, if so, whether anything can be done to arrest the downward trend over the last two decades. They open out the discussion to take in the huge volume of televised racing just around the corner, including the comprehensive coverage of Royal Ascot. With Ascot next week, Nick catches up with trainer James Fanshawe, whose Audarya may be set for an ambitious seasonal debut in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, and Francois Rohaut, who has high hopes of star filly Suesa in the Commonwealth Cup. JA McGrath brings you his weekly postcard from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by David Yates of the Daily Mirror to discuss all the day's racing news, leading with the announcement yesterday afternoon that trainer Charlie Appleby would target the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July with his Derby hero Adayar. they consider what this means for the race and whether such a move can restore it to the midsummer intergenerational showpiece of old. Looking to matters more immediate at the Berkshire track. Nick is joined by Wesley Ward, hoping once again to strike at next week's Royal meeting and by Chris Wall, looking for an elusive Royal Ascot success after 32 years. This week's Weatherby's Bloodstock guest is Roger O'Callaghan from Tally Ho Stud.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the sensational weekend of global action, taking in Adayar's Derby, Snowfall's monstrous Oaks win, the two titanic finishes of the Coronation Cup and the Belmont Stakes, plus the blistering turn of foot shown by St Mark's Basilica to win the Prix du Jockey Club. Nick talks to trainer Richard Hannon, who suggests his Derby runner up, the maiden Mojo Star, could now head to the Irish Derby, while William Muir, co-trainer of Pyledriver, hints that his star could miss Royal Ascot and head straight to the King George. Later in this episode, Nick talks to Ascot's new commercial director, Felicity Barnard.