Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by ITV Racing's Matt Chapman, who begins today's show with a report on the situation at Brighton racecourse, whose intended fixture on Saturday has been shelved owing to track damage from leatherjackets and badgers. Also today, Stuart Williams reflects on shock Nell Gwyn winner Azleet, and Richard Fahey on his chances of winning the Fred Darling. Plus, young bloodstock agent Charlie Dee explains how he bought a Keeneland Grade One winner from humble origins, while NYRA's Andrew Offerman looks forward to the opening of Belmont Park this autumn. Ben Atkins drops in for a look at the Point to Point scene.

Tom in for Nick and joined by senior writer at the Racing Post Lee Mottershead. We initially discuss two key bits of news that broke yesterday. First, trainer Evan Williams being sentenced to three years in prison having been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm. Second, the news that Laafi has indeed been disqualified from the race in which he finished first past the post at Aintree and we ask whether or not it would be preferable to DQ horses on the day. Trainer Oliver Greenall gives his view and also talks of a new syndicate venture he and Josh Guerriero are rolling out. We hear from Charlie Poste who has more horses going through the ring today at Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale and he also touches on rider Sam Lee whose funeral it is today. With that in mind and in response to the Sky News feature on jockey mental health, Nick is joined by chief executive of the IJF Lisa Hancock who speaks of all the work they do on this front. Newbury's George Hill gives an update on the latest conditions at the track which throw Constitution Hill's participation in the John Porter into doubt. Karl Burke is likely to have the favourite for that race and he touches on his touches as well as Hankelow in tomorrow's Craven Stakes and we have the latest from Hong Kong with Jim McGrath.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV presenter Jane Mangan to look through today's racing headlines. Leading the show today is an interview with Social Market Foundation Senior Fellow Dr James Noyes, who explains his evolving stance on affordability checks and his letter to Lisa Nandy in yesterday's Guardian. Neil Channing has commentary. On the racing front, Shadwell boss Angus Gold talks Guineas fancy Touleen, while George Boughey has news of Bow Echo's work on the Rowley Mile this morning, and Dan Barber straddles both codes. Dr Ashley Parker from Ascot Stud, Johannesburg, is this week's bloodstock guest.

Nick and Lydia look back on Saturday's Randox Grand National, in which I Am Maximus regained his crown, making it a third successive win in the race for his trainer Willie Mullins. We also reflect on the Festival as a whole, Dan Skelton's first Trainers' Championship, the Gold Dancer incident, Betting, TV viewing figures, the atmosphere and racegoers experience, plus an update from Sara Bradstock on Mr Vango

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop for Monday's show, looking through the racing headlines from around the world. With the review of Aintree occupying its own edition, this show focuses on the Flat and the Classic trials this week, but opens with the news that veteran rider Joe Fanning, out of the saddle since November, has had surgery for prostate cancer, but is already eyeing a return to race riding. Also on today's show, news from Ballydoyle on running plans for this week, plus David Menuisier on his Nell Gwyn and classic hopeful Inis Mor, trainer Adrian Bott reflecting on the triumph of Sir Delius in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, and Fernando Laffon on the two progeny of Persian King that have lit up the early French Classic Trials.

The annual 'Chance or No Chance?' podcast is back ahead of the 2026 Randox Grand National as Nick and Lydia Hislop takes you through all 34 runners in tomorrow's famous Steeplechase, wrapping up with both their 1-2-3-4-5.

Plus our regular contributors all send in their picks for tomorrow's big race with a wide spread of selections.

Day 2 of the Randox Grand National Festival and Nick comes to you from the track, alongside Lydia Hislop, to look ahead to the action this afternoon as well as reflect on yesterday’s results. Mouse Morris is along as he supervises his Topham runner Indiana Jones as well as Kieran Burke who has Soul Icon in the sam contest this afternoon. Dan Barber has the latest from Timeform and finally Laura Wright joins the line up ahead of singing the national anthem ahead of tomorrow’s big race.

Coming to you live from Aintree on Day 1 of the Random Grand National Festival and Nick is joined by David Yates to look ahead to the action this afternoon whilst Matt Chapman makes an appearance whilst out on track. Georgina Scott is out picking grass with last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace who steps back up in trip this afternoon in the Aintree Hurdle and discusses her chance whilst Cian Collins share his hopes for Jazzy Matty, who makes a surprise appearance over hurdles tomorrow, taking advantage of a lower mark than over fences. We get the word on other horses out and about including Bill Baxter, who tomorrow will bid to win a second Topham and Molly Armytage looks ahead to her first ride over the famous National fences in this afternoon’s Foxhunters’. Ahead of this evening’s GOFFS Sale on course, Derek O’Connor and Tim Kent run through the catalogue whilst NYRA’s Chief Revenue Officer Tony Allevato catches up with Nick as they discuss the role Fox and NYRA could play as FanDuel and preparing to wind down. Finally, Will Kedjanyi has a politics update and previews the latest Bet the House podcast.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick this Wednesday morning and joined by the Mirror’s David Yates. As declarations and jockey bookings come through Charlotte and Dave give their immediate reaction including to that of Willie Mullins’s decision to jock up Tom Bellamy on last year‘s winner Nick Rockett, with son Patrick opting to ride Grangeclare West. Josh Guerriero explains the decision to put first time cheap pieces on Jagwar in the National and offers an update as well on Iroko. Jockey Lorcan Williams looks ahead to a couple of big rides on day one of the festival including former Champion hurdler Golden Ace before trainer Max Comley shares his hopes for his two in the mares bumper and seemed cautiously optimistic that Burds of a Feather will put her best foot forward. Henry Beesley has a market update from Fitzdares before we hear about the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up sale catalogue from Jason Singh and we wrap up with our weekly update from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead for a look at today's racing headlines. Looking ahead to Aintree, Nick is joined by trainer Gordon Elliott (six likely runners in the Grand National) and owner Richard Thompson (Grangeclare West). Plus, Paul Byrne on owning Irish National winner Soldier in Milan, BHA CEO Brant Dunshea on today's open letter to the Secretary of State on affordability checks, Dan Barber's Timeform perspective, and CJ Smith on the revival of racing in Zimbabwe.