Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by David Yates of the Daily Mirror to discuss the Review of the Gambling Act, announced officially overnight by the government, and its likely implications and financial consequences for the Horseracing industry. Nick talks at length to Brigid Simmonds, Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council. Later in this edition, in partnership with Weatherbys, Nick is joined by Dr Amad Eshaab, whose Al Shaab Stud in war torn Tripoli was overrun last January by armed militia. Dr Amad is now singlehandedly attempting to rescue his business and the entire Libyan Racing and Breeding industries.

Nick is joined by broadcaster and journalist Lydia Hislop to discuss all the weekend's news, including the fallout from Altior's controversial defection from the Tingle Creek at Sandown, and Lydia's own lengthy exchange with Altior's trainer Nicky Henderson. Nick and Lydia also discuss the implications of the impending government gambling review with a contribution from Brian Chappell, founder of Justice4Punters, a pressure group that has held the gambling industry to account on behalf of bettors. Later in the edition, Nick talks to in-form jockey Conor O'Farrell about wining the Becher Chase on Vieux Lion Rouge.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss today's news and to look ahead to an outstanding weekend's racing in England and Ireland. Ahead of the Tingle Creek and Hilly Way Chases, they ask who currently deserves to be considered the preeminent 2 mile steeplechaser. Nick also talks to Joe Chambers, racing manager to Rich Ricci, owner of Chacun Pour Soi and Min, while later in the show Christophe Lemaire tells us how it felt to ride Almond Eye, as James Willoughby explains how she now tops the TRC Global Rankings. Fitdares CEO Will Woodhams explains why you can eat as many scotch eggs as you can at the Fitzdares Club.

Nick is joined by Lee Mottershead, senior writer for the Racing Post, to discuss the day's news, leading with the admission of fans to England's racecourses for the first time since March yesterday. They are joined by racegoer Lewis Phillips and the Jockey Club's Head of Racing (North West) Sulekha Varma. Nick and Lee also discuss jockey Oisin Murphy's interview with the BBC's Laura Scott, while later in this edition Nick catches up with Harry Whittington, trainer of Tingle Creek Chase contender Rouge Vif.

Nick is joined by Rishi Persad to discuss today's news, most notably fans returning to the sport in controlled fashion at Ludlow, Haydock, Lingfield and Kempton Park. Nick talks to four racegoers who have been champing at the bit and are getting out and about today. Continuing the build up to the Tingle Creek Chase at the weekend, jockey Harry Skelton talks about his chances of overturning Altior with Politologue, while Chicky Oaksey drops in to update us on Injured Jockeys' Fund activities in the lead up to Christmas and JA McGrath brings us his weekly postcard from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster (and Road to Cheltenham creator) Lydia Hislop to discuss the day's news from around the racing world, focusing on what we might expect from the return of the pre-eminent two mile steeplechaser Altior in Sandown's Tingle Creek Chase this weekend. Nick speaks at length to the his trainer, Nicky Henderson, who is in feisty mood ahead of the task at hand. In this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock segment, Nick talks to Haras du Mesnil proprietor Antonia Devin, who bred Altior's main rival Politologue and is now standing the stallions Doctor Dino and Telecaster. Kate Hunter, President of Madugai Racing, joins us from Tokyo to discuss the implications of Almond Eye's Japan Cup victory.

Nick is joined by the Daily Mirror's David Yates to discuss the day's news on and off the track. Following his comments in the Racing Post and on Sky Sports Racing over the weekend surrounding the need for more robust measures to control the abuse of cocaine amongst jockeys in Britain, the PJA CEO Paul Struthers tells Nick why he felt motivated to speak out now, and confirms that there have been two further positive tests returned by as yet unidentified riders. Paul and Dave also comment on the outcome of the Oisin Murphy case that landed on Friday evening, with the UK Champion receiving a three month ban from France Galop. Later in this edition, bookmaker Paul Garritty speaks to Nick about the prospect of returning to the betting ring.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Cornelius Lysaght to discuss where racing and racecourses stand now that the government's Tier system has been detailed. Nick speaks to Jonjo Sanderson, CEO of Wetherby Racecourse (Tier 3) and closely associated with Catterick (Tier 2)to discuss the finial implications of being allowed a restricted raceday audience. Later in the show, Nick catches up with trainer Anthony Honeyball, hoping to win the Ladbrokes Trophy with his popular veteran Regal Encore, and James Willoughby outlines why this Sunday's Japan Cup could yet be the world's most significant horserace this year.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss how the current lockdown arrangements in Ireland are affecting the sport and the industry. Nick speaks at length to the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, Brian Kavanagh, leading on the government's Covid response and its consequences, but also taking in the effects of Brexit and the industry's increasingly robust approach to out of competition drug testing. Continuing the build up to Newbury's Ladbrokes Trophy, Nick speaks to trainer Tom George, whose Black Op has classy form to bring to this prestigious handicap.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad and Conor McGinn MP to discuss today's news, unpicking exactly how the government's tiered lockdown relaxation might impact on racecourses and their ability to host spectators. They discuss the possibility that the Welsh National may yet move to England if the Welsh Assembly forbids attendance at Chepstow. Ahead of this wekeend's Ladbrokes Trophy, Nick talks to David Bridgwater, trainer of leading fancy The Conditional, while Gina Bryce brings a sneak preview of Episode 7 of the Bloodstock Bulletin, and JA McGrath updates us on the latest goings on in Hong Kong.