Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the events of the weekend. In their Aintree debrief - covering the race itself, the changes, the crowd, audience figures and more - they are joined by Aintree MD Dickon White and by Dan Skelton, who also offers his thoughts on the trainers' championship. Also today, the latest on affordability checks, Breeder Ron Huggins on how the National winner may have had a very different life, and Richard Hughes looks forward to the Craven meeting at Newmarket.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop for the annual canter through all the runners for this year's Grand National, ultimately reducing each to CHANCE or NO CHANCE. Their rundown is interspersed with the stylings of David Yates, Cornelius Lysaght, Jane Mangan, Charlotte Greenway, Lee Mottershead, Rishi Persad and David Ord. Plus Tom Stanley. Neil Phillips and Alistair Coe provide food and drink.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates from Aintree on the first day of the Grand National Festival. Among the guests today are Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore, the training partnership responsible for Corach Rambler, and Gary Moore, whose Nassalam ran away with the Welsh National. Also on today's show, Mick Fitzgerald reminisces on his 1996 victory in the great race, while Page Fuller from RaceIQ uses her data to predict which horses will gain most through their jumping efficiency, and Neil Phillips toasts Grand Opening day with the Aintree house champagne. ITV's Oli Bell is along for a cameo appearance.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee mottershead to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They begin by digesting the JP McManus Grand National riding arrangements, and hear from Gavin Cromwell, whose Limerick Lace is Mark Walsh's surprise choice. Also on today's show, David Maxwell looks forward to his first National ride on last year's raceday gamble Ain't that a Shame, while Helena Flynn from the Horse Welfare Board continues our coverage of the sport's HorsePWR campaign. Joe Burke reflects on an extraordinary day as a buyer and breeder at Deauville yesterday, Harry Herbert looks forward to the Craven Breeze-Ups and to an audacious tilt with Believing at the big sprint in Hong Kong, where JA McGrath has all the latest ahead of the big upcoming International fixture. Sam Davies Thomas brings us the weekly Thoroughbid Point to Point news.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world today. They lead with the latest weather report from Sulekha Varma at Aintree, one which leads Eddie O'Leary to inform this podcast of the likely non-appearance of top weight Conflated in the race. As well as Varma and O'Leary, we also hear from Martin Brassil, with one strong contender in Panda Boy and another striving to get a run in Desertmore House. Paddy Brennan talks Nick through the ride which earned him an 18 day ban yesterday and answers speculation over whether this might prompt retirement, while Tattersalls Jimmy George offers an alternative perspective on the prize money debate. Dan Barber assesses whether Timeform figures give Kempton hero Notable Speech a chance in the Guineas, and legendary South African agent Jehan Malherbe is this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

NIck is joined by Mirror writer David Yates to take a look at the racing news from around the world. In Grand National week, the Jockey Club have announced prize money cuts for later in 2024, which are explained by their CEO Nevin Truesdale. Nick also touches on this year's protest threats. Also in Grand National news, owner Paul Byrne tells Nick which of the three fancies he is/has been involved with has the best chance. Elsewhere, Debbie Kepitis tells Nick why she went to a record shattering AUS$10m to buy out the Winx yearling filly, and Seamie Heffernan reflects on a marquee weekend at Leopardstown. Nick and Dave also talk Frankie Dettori's six timer, Aidan Coleman's retirement, and a new CEO at the BGC.

In the Saturday Edition this week, Charlotte Greenway recaps on a couple of pieces of news from this week on the podcast including a lovely tribute to Stefano Cherchi, who tragically lost his life this week as result of injuries suffered in a fall, racing in Australia.

Then ahead of the weekend we hear from George Murphy on how ready Derby third White Birch is for his return this weekend as well as getting an idea of how his season may plan out whilst Dave Ord picks out three horses to watch over the weekend in the weekly Timeform piece and maybe after this weekend Europe could have a live Kentucky Derby contender on their hands!

This Friday, Charlotte Greenway is in for Nick and catches up with Kitty's Light's trainer Christian Williams ahead of his Grand National bid in eight days time. Joined by by Lydia Hislop, Charlotte and Lydia touch on the new HorsePWR campaign and recent reports of open banking requests. Ahead of the weekend Dave Ord looks at the Kentucky Derby trial at Chelmsford and considers whether there may be a real contender in there before Jerome Reynier shares the story of Facteur Cheval from an unruly yearling and two year old to a Group 1 winner at five. Peter Rotondo of 1/ST Racing has news of a new partnership with the Jockey Club in Britain and JA McGrath has a update from Hong Kong.

Tom in for Nick and joined initially by BHA Head of Communications Robin Mounsey to discuss the launch of British Racing's HorsePWR welfare campaign. Robin tells us of the importance of launching now and why the BHA has chosen to be so transparent and front foot on the subject. Rishi Persad joins to give his views and then gives thoughts on some recent examples of affordability checks which he feels have crossed the line in requesting personal data. He argues it’s not too late to tackle gambling issues at the source of the problem as opposed to trying to stop someone placing a bet. We hear from trainer Amy Murphy about her friend and colleague Stefano Cherchi who tragically passed away yesterday and we are joined by Amy Lee who has set up the Graham Lee Racing Club to raise funds for her father’s recovery in association with the Good Racing Company. In our Overbury People segment we here from former rider Dominic Elseworth who now runs a course giving those from disadvantaged backgrounds a way in to the sport and co-founder of the Riding A Dream Academy Naomi Lawson is along to tell us about the latest taster days they are running.

Tom in for Nick and we start today’s show with the saddest of news that Sardinian born jockey Stefano Cherchi, 23, has passed away. Stefano suffered a fall when riding at Canberra, Australia on March 20th. Jane Mangan is today’s guest and she reflects on this news before Tom and Jane cast an eye over entries for the Coronation Cup and Betfred Oaks. We hear from White Birch’s assistant trainer George Murphy and also Oaks entered Dare To Dream’s French-based trainer Gavin Hernon. With news that leading Qatari trainer Hamad Al-Jehani is to set up in Newmarket, we welcome Wathnan Racing advisor Richard Brown to the show. Peter Trainor, founder of Global Thoroughbreds, joins us to look ahead top some runners this weekend in Australia. And it’s Wednesday so we go pointing with our friends at Throroughbid and Ben Atkins.