Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick brings you this podcast in front of a live audience at Newsells Park for a Royal Ascot preview, featuring guests John Gosden, Richard Brown, Charlie Fellowes and Roger Varian, by kind permission of Graham and Marcela Smith-Bernal, and with special thanks to Fitzdares, Quintessentially and James Graham.

Joshua Stacey is joined by RacingTV’s Andrew Blair White to break down the latest headlines from the racing world. They’re also joined by Basher Watts, who shares his hopes of redemption for his filly Shes Perfect in Sunday’s Prix de Diane at Chantilly. In a bold move, Basher reveals that he and his syndicate turned down a $2.5 million offer from Japan just last week. Meanwhile, George Murphy provides an important update on White Birch and his potential run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. To wrap up, Nick sits down with Nathan Vergne, the newest addition to the French training scene, for an exclusive interview.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They are joined by Francis Graffard, assembling an enviable squad for Royal Ascot. Also on today's show, Jane Chapple Hyam announces the supplementary of Kon Tiki for the Coronation Stakes, while we hear from John Gosden and Colin Keane on Lead Artist, Will Bourne on Carl Spackler, plus Roger Teal on Dancing Gemini. Nick is at the GOFFS Arkle sale, where he gets fascinating insight from Dan Skelton, as well as contributions from agent Ed Bailey and trainer AJ O'Neill. JA McGrath has big news from Hong Kong.

Tom in for Nick and we start with the news that legendary trainer Peter Easterby passed away yesterday at the age of 95. HIs younger brother Mick joins the show to bring us some wonderful memories of the time he shared with Peter and we are also joined by racing pundit and Peter's friend Jim McGrath who reflects on his incredible achievements over 46 years. Lee Mottershead is today’s key contributor and he adds his voice to the debate of how to revive the Derby. Lee then brings us some Royal Ascot news as Economics misses the PrinceOf Wales’s Stakes and he also asks whether Falakeyah will indeed go to this weekend’s Diane now Lake Victoria misses the Coronation. We are also joined by Richard Hannon who gives us the latest on Rosallion ahead of the Queen Anne as well as a few others to look forward to. Timeform’s Dan Barber gives a Derby / Oaks view and also puts some figures on the career of Peter Easterby. Trainer Willie McCreery is along to tell us about the situation at the Curragh where a gallop has closed due to travellers moving in next-door. Plus it’s Tuesday so we go around the bloodstock world with Weatherbys and hear from Juddmonte’s Simon Mockridge.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop for a Derby debrief, and is joined by Epsom GM Jim Allen to discuss how improvements can be made to the day and the customer experience. Also on today's show, Juddmonte officially announce Colin Keane as their number one in Europe, and his mentor and boss Ger Lyons shares his delight. Plus, Lyons announces that Lady Iman - his star 2yo - is highly unlikely to make Royal Ascot. On the Ascot theme, trainer Henry Dwyer updates us on his defending champ Asfoora, and gives us the lowdown on her latest piece of work in Newmarket today, while NBC's Matt Bernier gives us his take on the Belmont Stakes and a supreme performance from Sovereignty.

Charlotte Greenway recaps on the action from Epsom this afternoon including post race interviews with Aidan O'Brien after he once again landed the Epsom Oaks this afternoon, this time with Minnie Hauk and after Jan Brueghel's success in the Coronation Cup. Aidan also looks at the chances of The Lion In Winter & Delacroix in the Derby tomorrow before we hear from various connections with runners in the famous race on the downs including: Francis Graffard (Midak); Ralph Beckett (Pride of Arras); Hector Crouch (Stanhope Gardens); Barry Mahon (New Ground) & Tony Elliott (Rogue Impact). Finally we end with Derby trips from the press room at Epsom this afternoon.

Nick and Lydia give you the ultimate pre-Derby special, featuring the first major broadcast interview with new Jockey Club CEO Jim Mullen plus Derby Chance or No Chance, and much more on the great race and Festival. Plus, Tote CEO Alex Frost on Worldpool, Henry Beeby on the London Sale, and Timeform's David Johnson on why Ruling Court might be up against it in the Derby.

Tom Stanley in for Nick and joined by broadcaster Matt Chapman to look ahead to the Betfred Derby Festival. We hear from Andrew Cooper out on the track at Epsom who gives us a conditions update. Matt want to hear from Hector Crouch re his Classic rides and Hector tells us what he's expecting from Revoir and Stanhope Gardens. We are also joined by Robert Cowell who has seven potential runners across the two Dash races. Matt and Tom then have wider discussions about both the Derby's relevance to Epsom and the success of Wednesday's draw at the Epsom Picturehouse. They also discuss the relevance of the Triple Crown with this year's Guineas winner lining up in the Derby. US broadcaster Michelle Yu gives here Belmont Stakes views and Total Performance Data's Adam Mills puts some figures on the race. And we are joined by CEO of the Matt Hampson Foundation ahead of this weekend's Chamonix Challenge.

Tom Stanley in for Nick and joined by Jane Mangan to analyse the Derby draw with 19 declared, the biggest field since 2003. Luca Brooks-Edwards was at the draw this morning and has the reaction of Tony Elliot, who has outsider Rogue Impact in the races as well as Matt Hulmes of Betfred who looks at whether Ruling Court can keep the Triple Crown dream alive. Tom and Jane also go on to assess the 9 runner Oaks and the Coronation Cup. We hear from Marco Botti who has Giavelotto in there and also won the Italian Derby a couple of days ago. Dave Loughnane won the 2.47 at Leicester yesterday with a bargain buy and Tom asks whether or not he's already had offers for the filly ahead of Royal Ascot. Gary Wiltshire previews his new book as part of this week’s Weatherbys segment and Adam McNamara joins us from the PJA to talk about the apprentice only card on Friday evening at Goodwood.

Josh Stacey takes over the podcast today and is joined by Racing TV's Anthony Dunkley to preview the two Epsom Classics in depth with the help of Dave Ord, who looks at the race through a Timeform perspective and also shares what Timeform made of the two most taking performances of last week on these shores from Almaqam & Estrange. Eve Johnson Houghton, who so often has a nice early two year old, discusses the chances of Havana Hurricane in the Woodcote at Epsom before Harry Eustace provides an update on stable star Docklands and where he's likely to head to next.