Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick and Lydia return with their annual runner-by-runner guide to this year's Grand National

Ahead of tomorrow's Dubai World Cup meeting JA McGrath and Liam Mullen have been out and about speaking with various connections including Christophe Lemaire on the strong Japanese challenge; Chantal Sutherland on a tough couple of years and returning to the top table; Nemone Routh ahead of Calandagan's run in the Sheema Classic; Danny Shum looks ahead to Romantic Warrior; and finally Niels Petersen shares his hopes for his Scandinavian raider.

Back again on track for Day 2 of the Aintree Grand National Festival and Nick is joined today throughout by David Yates and by a host of guests including clerk of the course Jon Pullin who has an update on the ground and the watering they've done on overnight. Keiran Burke has Soul Icon in the Topham and discusses why they've decided to tackle the famous fences and Peter Scudamore joins mid dog walk to look back on his experiences in the saddle in the National and later the winners trained by himself and Lucinda Russell. Danny Mullins drops in after exercising Glengouly, who he rides in the Topham and explains the thinking behind choosing Meetingofthewaters in the Grand National over Minella Cocooner before finally Shark Hanlon provides a positive update on Hewick who was bouncing after his leg stretch out on track this morning.

The Nick Luck Daily Podcast comes to you Live from Aintree on Day 1 of the Grand National Festival and once again Nick is in amongst it with Jane Mangan as the horses are out stretching their legs. Mary Mangan has just watched Spillane’s Tower out on track and share her hopes for him in this afternoon’s Aintree Bowl before ITV’s Alice Plunkett drops in to chat about what makes this place so special. Whilst out picking grass, Paul Gilligan and Buddy One join the show and look at whether this admirable horse can go one better than he did in the Liverpool Hurdle last year. Rob Hogarth is out on track fulfilling ITV media commitments but has time to have a quick word on Ahoy Señor and he’s extremely bullish about his chances against Spillane’s Tower. Then Gavin Cromwell shares his hopes for his three in the National, all of which are very prominent in the market, before Patrick Mullins runs through some of Willie’s contenders this week including Lossiemouth today and Gaelic Warrior who he rides in the Bowl this afternoon.

Ahead of Aintree, Charlotte Greenway brings you a bonus episode as she catches up with trainer Nicky Henderson to run though some of his biggest chances over the three days in the Grade 1s and handicaps including: Constitution Hill, Jonbon, Lulamba, Jango Baie, Hyland, Chantry House, Excello, Fantastic Lady, Impose Toi & Jeriko du Reponet.

Charlotte Greenway filling in for Nick and joined by Timeform's Dan Barber to look ahead to the action from Aintree, kicking off tomorrow. Dan and Charlotte take a deep dive into Friday's declarations and pick out a couple of eye catchers as well as those that have something to prove. Charlotte also gets the low down on Hewick from Shark Hanlon ahead of his National bid whilst Max McNeill discusses his exciting Aintree team, including his two in the big one. Ben Atkins joins for our weekly P2P segment ahead of tomorrow's Foxhunters at Aintree with reflection on yesterday's Hunter Chase sponsored by the podcast on which Olive Nicholls shares her delight after victory aboard Viroflay. Finally, off to Dubai where JA McGrath is in situ and has news of the Hong Kong runners as well as a catch up with James McDonald on his mounts.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They begin with the latest Grand National news, with Johnny Burke discussing how he went from without a ride to being offered two in the space of an afternoon. Sean Bowen shares his excitement at picking up the ride on Three Card Brag, while this year's Clerk Jon Pullin gives us a going and watering update. William Haggas delights in another Australian Group One with Dubai Honour at Rosehill, while RSN's Michael Felgate discusses the bitter divisions within the ATC over the proposed sale of the historic track. Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll's breeder Jerry O'Brien is a brilliant bloodstock guest this week, courtesy of Weatherbys.

Nick is joined by Mirror man David Yates to look at the day's racing news. They start with the appointment of ex-Ladbrokes and Reach PLC boss Jim Mullen to be Group CEO at the Jockey Club. The news is welcomed on the podcast by RMG Chief Exec Nick Mills. Also on today's show, trainer Sandy Thomson expresses reservations at the process by which Mr Incredible was an enforced scratch from the Grand National, while Ben Pauling looks forward to running Twig, who has just scraped in, and Keith Donoghue explains the reason for blinkers on favourite Stumptown. Plus, Liam Mullen catches up in Dubai with jockey Tadgh O'Shea about his decision to partner Laurel River in the World Cup this Saturday. Closer to home, Cornelius Lysaght is debriefed by Molly after her excellent second on the pod pointer Baunmore Jet at Maisemore yesterday, while - across the pond - NBC's Matt Bernier runs the rule over the key Kentucky Derby preps at the weekend.

The flat returns to the turf in Britain this weekend and Charlotte Greenway looks ahead to the Lincoln meeting from Doncaster. Various insight from those with runners in the feature, the William Hill Lincoln including David Egan, David Menuisier, Gary Robinson and Richard Brown whilst there's also a bit on the Brocklesby favourite & Spring Mile fancy in there too.

Nick is joined by ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Joining today's show, Jimmy Mangan explains why Spillane's Tower could have a big advantage at Aintree next week, while trainer David Menuisier is unleashing a secret weapon of a jockey who is robbing three pounds this weekend. Plus, Sportinglife.com's David Ord has Something for the Weekend himself at Doncaster, while Nick catches up with retiring BHA Chief Medical Adviser Jerry Hill, who discuses the impact of the Pandemic, saunas and much more. Also today, Fred Timmis - trainer of NLD bonus hunter Captain Tommy - tells Nick how the plan was hatched, much to Oli's obvious delight.