Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They begin by plucking the best from the Ballydoyle press day, consider the idea of running City of Troy in the Travers, and hear from Aidan O'Brien on Auguste Rodin's Sheema Classic bid. Chris Waller gives Nick an extensive interview about this weekend's Golden Slipper, plus the Aussie debut of Via Sistina in the Ranvet. Closer to home, trainers Julie Camacho and Dominic Ffrench Davis discuss their chances of making an impact on Lincoln Day, while Laura King brings us the first of her profiles from Dubai. Neil Banbury, CCO of the Kindred Group talks to Nick about the Sustainable Gambling Conference, which took place at the Kia Oval yesterday.

Nick is joined by award winning Racing Post writer Jonathan Harding to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They lead with the provocative article penned by Grand National-winning trainer Richard Newland yesterday, which called for restrictions on Irish runners in a bid to boost GB fortunes. Jane Mangan offers a strong response, while BHA Chief Regulatory Officer Brant Dunshea clarifies the GB/Ireland collaborative anti-doping position. Dunshea is also asked by Nick to account for the bizarre events surrounding Ben Coen's eligibility to ride at Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening. Also on today's show, owner Jon Shack explains why Emily Upjohn will have a new jockey in Dubai, while Tom Goff updates us on yesterday's delegation to Downing Street with some of racing's senior power-brokers. Jour de Galop's Adrien Cugnasse outlines the task facing incoming France gallop CEO Elie Henau, while JA McGrath has all the latest ahead of the Hong Kong Derby.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest developments from around the racing world. They lead with yesterday's news that Opera Singer would likely miss the 1,000 Guineas, and Nick talks to Kelly Burke about the progress of her nearest market rival to that point, Moyglare winner Fallen Angel. Also on today's show, Dan Skelton looks beyond handicaps for Langer Dan following his 10lb hike in the weights, while Dan Barber gives Timeform's Top 5 Festival performances plus pays tribute to the grandest of old timers. Jimmy George gives advance notice of the Tattersalls breeze-up sales, while Whitsbury's Ed Harper celebrates not only the new opportunities afforded racing by the Immigration Salary List but also a debut success for his first season sire Sergei Prokofiev. Ben Atkins brings us the Thoroughbid weekly Point to Point wrap, while Nicolas de Chambure from Haras d'Etreham reflects on a golden Festival for his stallions.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest from around the Horseracing world. In the aftermath of the Festival, and the strong opinion that has accompanied it, Nick and Dave ask what the event can do better to improve the customer experience and the quality of the sport. Also on today's show, Paddy Twomey outlines to Nick how he has teamed up with Seamie Heffernan since the latter's departure from Ballydoyle, while jockey Alice Stevens tells her story in our latest instalment of Overbury People.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest news on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival. They review the action from the week and pick out the key talking points to have emerged from a dramatic few days, including a bizarre controversy surrounding the Triumph Hurdle. Latecomer Neil Phillips provides a decent Burgundy, while the inimitable Liz Armstrong - a cult hero of the pod - shares her inspiration once again. Dave Ord of SportingLife.com provides something for the weekend.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan from the Fitzdares/ROA lounge on the third morning of the Festival. With news of further Seven Barrows withdrawals on the fourth day - including Sir Gino - Nick finds Nicky Henderson in sanguine mood as he comes top terms with his fate this week. He pays a handsome tribute to the record-busting juggernaut that is Willie Mullins. Also on today's show, Nick talks at length to Jockey Club Director of Partnerships Matt Powell about the group's overarching sponsorship and commercial strategy, its relationship with betting companies and the importance of regional vs centralised deal making. The Festival regulars are in - Liz Armstrong in sparkling form this morning, plus Neil Phillips with some non-alcoholic refreshment from House of Clarity.

Nick is joined by both Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead and ITV presenter Rishi Persad to discuss the latest news and events from Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. With Britain's leading Festival trainer Nicky Henderson withdrawing his stable stars amid an evolving health situation in the yard, the team discuss the impact on the meeting as a whole, while senior vet Piet Ramzan explains why horses can run poorly with viral issues when nothing has shown up on tests. After yesterday's famous win, Kim Bailey reflects on Chianti Classico and looks to the future, while we look ahead to Friday's Hunter Chase with Ben Atkins. The usual crew join - Liz Armstrong is back as resident artist, and Neil Phillips provides the refreshment courtesy of Glenfarclas.

Nick brings you the podcast from the opening day of the Festival in the company of Jane Mangan, Racing Tv and RTE analyst. In the wake of unexpected overnight rain, Nick talks to clerk Jon Pullin about the ground and the contingency plans surrounding the cross country race. Also today, jockey Daryl Jacob and trainer Gavin Cromwell, plus resident artist Liz Armstrong, wine expert Neil Phillips, and Fitzdares bookie Bobby Burns. Walter Connors is this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror's Newsboy David Yates on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival. With jitters surrounding the Triumph Hurdle favourite - and the health of the Henderson string as a whole - Nick opens this episode with a reassuring bulletin from the master of Seven Barrows. Also on this show, and in the company of Joe Chambers, Nick and Dave try to analyse why Willie Mullins is running so many horses in a hood, several for the first time, including Arkle favourite Gaelic Warrior. Also on today's show, David Manasseh talks Ballyburn, the joy of ownership and business with Tony Bloom, while Sam Twiston Davies gives a considered appraisal of his own chances during the week. Nick and Dave update on the George Gently case, and Dan Skelton's own take on its conclusion, as reported on Saturday.

In the third episode of this acclaimed series of interviews with those who lead or seek to lead US Horseracing through its most critical battle of ideas, Nick talks to the CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Lisa Lazarus. An Ivy League-educated native of Montreal, Lazarus has extensive experience in Sports Law and Regulation, with long stints at NFL and the FEI. Now, she is charged with unifying a divided sport at the behest of federal government.

In her most revealing and personal interview to date, she tells Nick how her upbringing and family background have informed her approach to her professional career, and how her experience has qualified her for the job at hand.

On HISA, Lazarus talks of the immense challenges presented to the organisation, how she has faced down criticism from outside and from within, and how she believes the sport is already changing for the better, while conceding there is some way to travel on both anti-doping and equine fatality.

This episode is brought to you by White Horse Bloodstock Insurance.