Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by journalist and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to round up the day's racing news, headed by continuing developments in the case surrounding leading trainer Gordon Elliott, which is heard today by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. Nick and Lydia discuss the procedures involved and the short term implications for Elliott and for the Cheltenham Festival. With news of a row developing between Australia's two principal racing jurisdictions, Channel 7's Jason Richardson joins the conversation. Later in this edition, Nick and Lydia talk through some of the racing in the UK this weekend.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror Racing Correspondent David Yates to discuss the day's racing news, featuring the latest in the Gordon Elliott case and a reflection on the role of social media in the way that the story has developed this week. In an important interview, Nick is joined by James Given - BHA Director of Equine Welfare - to discuss the alarming recent outbreak of the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) among sport horses in Valencia. Given urges considerable vigilance and adherence to best biosecurity practice. Later, Nick talks to Festival winning trainer Hughie Morrison, whose lively outsider Not So Sleepy once again lines up in the Champion Hurdle.

Nick is joined by Lee Mottershead, senior writer on the Racing Post, to discuss the day's news events, as the Gordon Elliott case continues to unravel. Nick and Lee attempt to sieve fact from rumour and consider the implications on the likely events of the coming days on the workforce at Cullentra as well as Gordon Elliott and Rob James themselves. Later in this edition, Nick catches up with Kim Bailey about his hopefuls for the Cheltenham Festival, including First Flow and Imperial Aura, while Jim McGrath brings us his weekly update from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the rapidly evolving news events of the last 24 hours in horseracing. They discuss the latest apology from Gordon Elliott, the fresh revelation of a new shocking video of jockey Rob James in a similarly grim scenario, and the wider political and diplomatic implications of the BHA's decision to act unilaterally to suspend entries from Elliott's stable. They also consider the consequences of a new licence holder at the yard. Later in the show, Nick talks to Overbury Stud's Simon Sweeting as part of the Weatherbys Bloodstock series and to Natalie O'Rourke from Park Lane Stables about its future now that it has secured over £1m in charitable donations.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss one of the most shocking stories of recent times: the emergence of a picture of leading trainer Gordon Elliott astride a dead horse on his gallops in Ireland. Elliott has confirmed the authenticity of the image and has issued a statement. Lydia and Nick assess the impact of the image, discuss Elliott's response, what it might mean for the stable, how the authorities in Ireland and Britain can and should act, and what might be the appropriate sanction for such an offence.

Nick is joined by the Daily Mirror's David Yates for a canter though today's headlines around the world of horseracing. They discuss the decision not to shift the date of the Grand National to coincide with the opening of betting shops, the lieklihood of owners being allowed onto the track in March, all the news from the Nicky Henderson press day, plus the return to the saddle of champion jockey Oisin Murphy. Paul Nicholls drops in to spin through his runners at the weekend, James Willoughby discusses the impact of the Saudi Cup on the TRC Rankings, while - in an extended interview - Kentucky Senate Floor Leader Sen. Damon Thayer explains why the future of Kentucky Racing will be significantly bolstered by recent legislation.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the myriad of issues facing Irish competitors and attendees ahead of this year's Cheltenham Festival, from the non-participation of amateur riders to the relatively low entry in the handicaps to the sporting bubble and PCR requirements for jockeys and those responsible for the visiting horses. Nick talks to Irish Point to Point expert Richard Pugh about the consequences of the temporary suspension of that branch of the sport in Ireland. Later in this edition, Nick reminisces with rider Charlie Swan about Danoli's Festival triumph as they pay tribute to the horse's trainer Tom Foley, who died yesterday, while Alan King drops in to talk about his hopes for the weekend, including leading Triumph Hurdle fancy Tritonic.

Nick is joined by Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the news that amateur riders will not be allowed to ride at the Cheltenham Festival or in any race under the rules of racing until the restriction on grassroots sport I lifted on March 29th. Nick and Cornelius discuss the implications of this for the likes of prolific Festival winners Patrick Mullins and Jamie Codd, while Nick talks at some length to Peter Wright, CEO of the Point to Point authority, and to Sam Waley Cohen, the Gold Cup winning amateur rider. Later in the show, JA McGrath brings his weekly postcard from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by David Yates from the Daily Mirror to assess the potential impact of the government's four-phase lifting of covid lockdown restrictions, two of whose dates pose interesting logistical possibilities for rearrangement of the marquee Aintree and Ascot fixtures. Ascot's Director of Comms and Public Affairs Nick Smith joins the conversation. Later in this edition, Nick talks to French trainer Hugo Merienne, hopeful of striking at Kempton Park this weekend with the promising juvenile hurdler Margaret's Legacy, while Paul Ferguson - author of the Weatherbys Betting Guide joins the show ahead of it publication this week, and Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff award winner Beck Edmunds reflects on last night's triumph.

Tom Stanley in for Nick and joined by Racing Post journalist Lee Mottershead. It was a weekend of great highs and great lows domestically. Five horse fatalities from 3 tracks since Friday whilst Goshen returned to the winners enclosure at Wincanton and Champ ran a near perfect Gold Cup trial at Newbury. Tom speaks to Goshen's trainer Gary Moore and to Mishriff's trainer John Gosden after his victory at the weekend in the world's richest horse race.