Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Joined on the gallops on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival by yesterday’s Champion Hurdle winning jockey Paul Townend as he reflects on Lossiemouth’s achievement and looks ahead to Il Etait Temps and Gaelic Warrior later in the week. Gavin Cromwell is out watching his string and after a couple of good results on day 1, he looks at where his first winner might come from and what he’s expecting from Inothewayurthinkin in Friday’s Gold Cup, as he looks to go back to back. Shark Hanlon offers a very positive bulletin on Hewick who’s bound for the Stayers Hurdle after a wind op and we’re back in the shopping village with artist Liz Armstrong. Finally, a day late this week we go around the Bloodstock World with our friends a Weatherbys and this week we’re talking to Pippa Mickleburgh.

Coming to you LIVE from the gallops on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival as Nick is joined by Jane Mangan. They kick off today speaking to Mark Walsh, who’s alongside Mighty Park (his ride in the opener, the Supreme). Mark also discusses his best chances of the week including Majborough in the Champion Chase and Inothewayurthinkin in the Gold Cup on Friday. Danny Mullins and Poniros join the show before Willie Mullins, alongside David Casey, debate the chances of Lossiemouth in the Champion and have their say on who the best novice might be. Dan Barber of Timeform looks at the figures and we have a market update from Fitzdares, a run down of the Cheltenham Sales Catalogue with Matt Hall before finishing up with Liz Armstrong in the shopping village.

On the eve of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, Nick is joined on course by Josh Stacey and Charlotte Greenway who are out watching the Irish contingent and getting the latest from trainers including Gordon Elliott who has two key runners tomorrow in Brighterdaysahead and El Cairos, Paul Nolan looks at his strong team for the week whilst Emmet Mullins discusses his well fancied handicappers and whether Its On The Line can get the job done in the Hunter Chase. Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin has the latest on the going and the movement of the final flight of hurdles. We also get a market update from Fitzdares from Henry Beesley and finally ahead of sponsoring their first race at the Cheltenham Festival, Singer’s Direct of trading Gareth Henderson.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer for a look at today's racing headlines. They analyse the latest Cheltenham moves regarding Lossiemouth, Mighty Park and Jonbon, amongst others, and are joined by Joe Chambers and - via a GOFFS interview with Oli Bell - Nicky Henderson. Plus, Paul Nolan on his full Cheltenham squad, Timeform's Kieran Clarke, and Paul Ferguson with his three to follow from his Weatherbys Betting Guide. Also today, BHA Racing Director Richard Wayman on the new Training Fees Credit Scheme, while Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges discusses the legacy of Louis Romanet, who died yesterday, and Nick and Lee remember colourful owner Tony Collins of Gay Future infamy,. Other news stories under the microscope include Frankie Dettori, Alan Spence and the FOI request that has reignited the betting tax debate.

Nick is joined by Jane Mangan to canter through the latest racing news. As Cheltenham approaches fast, Nick catches up with Gigginstown's Eddie O'Leary about some of the key hopefuls for the week, including Brighterdaysahead, Turners'-bound Ballyfad, Favour de Champdou, Storm Heart and the bumper trio. Plus, Derek O'Connor on his two big rides Jeriko du Reponet and It's on the Line. Also today, the return of Point to Pointing on the podcast withTattersalls and Ben Atkins, while Neil Channing has his say on Andrew Rhodes and the landscape he leaves behind at the Gambling Commission, and Nick talks to RMG Marketing Director Clive Cottrell about the organisation's partnership with the Teenage Cancer Trust

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop for a canter through today's racing news. Among guests today are trainer Joseph O'Brien, who talks through his Festival team, Cheltenham clerk Jon Pullin on watering plans and going updates, Mick and David Easterby on their new Old Gold horse and recently released documentary, second season trainer Max Comley on an exciting runner next week, JA McGrath in Hong Kong, and Women in Racing Chair Cheryl Caves on the midlife and menopause study undertaken for the organisation. Plus, Nick and Lydia continue to assess the fallout from the Lord Allen exit.

Nick is joined by Mirror man David Yates for a canter through today's headlines. There is no surprise at the departure of Lord Allen as BHA Chair, but Ascot and the large independents have lit the tinder box with their statement this morning demanding reform of the RCA. Ascot's CEO Felicity Barnard has more, plus a response from BHA acting CEO Brant Dunshea. Also today, Barry Connell on Marine National missing Cheltenham, Dan Barber on the juvenile hurdle pecking order, and Jango Baie's breeder Marin Belloir is our Weatherbys guest.

Nick - in London - is joined by Rishi Persad in Dubai as the conflict in the Gulf continues. They are joined to reflect on a surreal Super Saturday by treble winning trainer Ed Crisford. Also today, plenty of Cheltenham chat, with trainers Eddie Harty and Noel Kelly joining the conversation, while Jason Richardson joins Nick to reflect on an extraordinary weekend of top level performers strutting their stuff in the East, from Autumn Glow at Randwick to Romantic Warrior - again - at Sha Tin. Meanwhile, Wathnan's US Rep Case Clay analyses the winning effort of Commandment in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream as he progresses along the road to the Kentucky Derby, plus news of the operation's Dubai World Cup hopefuls Tumbarumba and Hit Show.

Nick is joined by Jane Mangan to canter through the latest news from around the racing world. Guests today include Johnny Murtagh, hopeful of a successful Dubai mission for stable star Alakazi. Also today, multiple Irish Flat champion Colin Keane on picking up a ride in the Champion bumper, the legendary Des McDonogh on bringing the curtain down on a 54 year training career, Ewan Whillans eyes up another Morebattle Hurdle with local favourite Cracking Rhapsody, and Toby Lawes on Festival plans for the unheralded but talented Klimt Madrik. Plus, the latest on Lord Allen, Kia Joorabchian, Worldpool at the Shergar Cup and the suspended John Butler.

Nick brings you today's podcast from the Betting and Gaming Council AGM in London. This special episode features an in-depth interview with BGC CEO Grainne Hurst, who answers questions on the central theme of the morning, the dangers posed by the unregulated (black) market. She also opines on the future of the relationship between racing and betting, including the bleak prospect of negotiations on the levy and media rights money. This episode also features contributions from Dealmeout's Jordan Lea and Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross.