Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Charlotte Greenway brings you this week's Saturday Edition and starts by looking at the Morebattle Hurdle, for which Neil Mulholland discusses Petrol Head, who makes his first start for the yard. Ben Pauling has two interesting contenders at the Scottish track and looks at their chances before Dave Ord looks as the day as a whole and a gives up a couple of horses to watch. Finally, George Scott looks forward to seeing his talented 3yr old West Acre on Super Saturday at Meydan and looks at where this horse could end up later in the season.

Tom in for Nick and joined by Racing Post journalist Jonathan Harding. We start with the news tat Jack Kennedy will return to the saddle from Monday and be fit to ride at the Cheltenham Festival this year and Jack is along to tell us more. We hear from new Cheltenham CEO Guy Lavender re the news that the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle will be named after the late Michael O’Sullivan. Guy also looks ahead to his first festival and touches on some important changes this year and his hopes for 2025. We give news on James Bowen appealing his ban which will keep him out of Cheltenham as things stand and also bring news or Eric McNamara’s successful appeal after Mount Ferns was found to have been permitted to run other than on its merits. The Horse Welfare Board’s Pip Kirkby tells us about the growing support behind schooling days on British racecourses and we then turn our attention to this weekend. We hear from Neil Mulholland who has Petrol Head on first start for him in the Morebattle Hurdle and George Scott tells us about plans for West Acre this season who lines up in a Group 3 at Meydan on Emirates Super Saturday.

Nick is joined by ITV Presenter Oli Bell to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They lead today with the findings of the Racing Post's Punting Survey, and are joined by industry analyst and pro punter Neil Channing to discuss. Oli - a solutions man - has first hand testimony from those using the Black Market. Also on today's show, Ben Pauling picks his two best for the Festival, plus gives glowing notices to new stable jockey Ben Jones, on the hottest of hot streaks. Plus, trainer Brad Cox looks ahead to this Saturday's 'Big Cap' at Santa Anita, while Channel 7's Jason Richardson looks back at the life and career of Cup-winning trainer Mike Moroney, who has died aged 66.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Today, they nose on the Cheltenham handicap weights before moving on to taking in the news that Coolmore have sent several young horses by Walk in the Park to Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm in an effort to find a stallion successor. Amanda joins the show. Plus, Ralph Beckett runs the rule over his astonishing dozen still in the 2025 Derby at the latest entry stage. GBR Welfare Comms Lead Gabi Whitfield tells us about the the HorsePWR campaign going up several notches in advance of the Spring Festivals, while Ben is here a day early with the Pointing and Jim McGrath has the latest from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV host Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Charlotte has been on hand this morning at Kempton to watch Constitution Hill and stablemates at work: she gives her report and catches up with Nicky Henderson, who also shares his delight at the Godolphin TIEA win of team member Simone Meloni. We hear from the winner in conversation with awards host Rishi Persad. Meanwhile, trainer Michael Hourigan tells Nick why the time is right to stop, and Cathal Mariga has the lowdown on Albert Bartlett fancy The Big Westerner. Later in the show, Paul Ferguson has news of his newly published Weatherbys Festival Betting Guide (offer code NLCFBG25 weatherbysshop.co.uk, and Dan Barber reacts to the Saudi Cup and the Sam Thomas big race form spike through the Timeform prism.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick today and joined by the Mirror's David Yates. First off, they reflect on Forever Young's victory in the Saudi Cup and hear from Christophe Lemaire, who had a winner on the night, and also gives his thoughts on the big race before getting the figures from TPD’s Adam Mills. Then, switching codes Fergal O'Brien discusses his impressive Dovecote winner Tripoli Flyer and shares the likelihood of him turning up at Cheltenham in the Supreme. Then with Cheltenham in mind, Charlotte speaks to Noel George to see which way they are leaning with regards to Il Est Francais and gets an update on his fancied runner in the Fred Winter. Finally, Rachel King joins from Japan, fresh off the back of her Grade One victory, in which she became the first female jockey to score at the highest level in Japan.

This week's Saturday looks first at the racing from Kempton where Mondo Man looks to book his place in the Triumph Hurdle. His trainer, Gary Moore explains why he hopes this exciting flat recruit can go one better than he did on debut over obstacles. Then Sam Thomas discusses his two runners in the feature Ladbrokes Trophy handicap chase. Then it's onto Saudi for the world's richest horse race, the Saudi Cup with multiple interviews including, Kenny McPeek, Fred Heyman, Dan Blacker & Naohiro Goda.

Nick is joined by ITV and Sky broadcaster Matt Chapman to take a Friday canter around the racing world. Guests today include Michael Buckley, who is relaxed in conversation with Nick as Constitution Hill begins his build up towards regaining his Champion Hurdle crown. Also on today's show, ARC Regional Director Phil Bell - responsible for two of the Welsh racecourses - offers reassurance as regards relations with the Senedd on the back of the proposed greyhound ban. Plus, in Riyadh, Nick talks to Kenny McPeek about Saudi Cup hopeful Rattle 'N Roll as well as his likely Epsom Derby contender, plans to bring Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan to Royal Ascot, and the reappearance of Thorpedo Anna. Naohiro Goda has the lowdown on the Japanese challenge, while HBA's Frank Sale spins through TV options for the worldwide audience. Nick and Matt also have plenty of chat on the UK action this weekend.

Nick is joined by award-winning Racing Post writer Jonathan Harding to discuss today's racing news. The day after Michael O'Sullivan's funeral, Davy Russell joins the show to reflect upon a day of great sorrow and real strength on the part of the racing community.

Also on today's show: the death of Delta Work, aged 12; the two star Seven Barrows juveniles not appearing at Kempton this weekend; the small increase in prize money contributions over the next year. Plus, Sam Thomas talks through a strong squad for the weekend. In Riyadh, Tom Stanley joins Nick to preview the Saudi Cup in the company of Team Valor President Fred Heyman (Facteur Cheval) and Scott Turner, owner of Witness Stand.

Ben and Molly are back with their Point to Point review.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror's David Yates to discuss the latest from the racing world. They lead today with the news that the Welsh Senedd has put the wheels in motion to ban greyhound racing. In the company of Evoke Chief Strategy Officer Vaughan Lewis, a greyhound owner and Welshman, they consider how seriously this should be taken as a threat by the horse racing industry in Wales and beyond. Also on today's show, trainer Gary Moore tells Nick hoe he plans to get the maximum from Mondo Man ahead of this weekend's Adonis hurdle, plus has a plan for his beloved Goshen. In Riyadh, Nick catches up with Dan Blacker, trainer of Breeders' Cup Sprint hero Straight No Chaser, while trainer Yoshi Hashida fills us in on his representative plus the abortive mission to bring a horse from Japan to the Cheltenham Festival. JA McGrath has his weekly bulletin from Hong Kong.