Racing Post

Racing Post editor Tom Kerr is joined by West Country correspondent James Stevens and deputy industry editor Peter Scargill for the first Front Page of 2024.

The panel discusses the mixed reception for the launch of Premier racing, the sport's big new plan to boost interest in the sport, and the trial of Sunday evening all-weather action.

Also on the agenda is a look ahead at the Cheltenham Festival after entries for several key races were published last week, including a record low number for the Gold Cup.

Finally, the team looks back at the Ultimate Racing Bucket List series and nominates their own must-visit destinations in Britain, Ireland and around the globe. What would you add to the list?

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Sam Hart is joined by Robbie Wilders, Matt Gardner and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Wincanton and Newcastle this weekend.
 
The first part of the show looks at Wincanton. Paul Nicholls has an excellent strike-rate at the Somerset track, and the panel is keen on a couple of his runners.
 
In the second part of the show, the team look at Newcastle's Saturday card, which is a late addition to the ITV Saturday schedule following Sandown's abandonment. There is the potential to see two very exciting novice hurdlers in action in the north-east, but does the panel think either of the two favourites of the novice races can be beaten?
 
To finish, the team give their other weekend racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs

Sam Hart is joined by Graeme Rodway, Jonny Pearson and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Newbury, Haydock & Taunton this weekend.

The first part of the show looks at Newbury, with the main focus being the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle featuring some top-class novices. Paul Nicholls has won the race recently with the likes of Hermes Allen, Bravemansgame and Stage Star. Could his leading runner, Captain Teague, lower the colours of Willmount?

In the second part of the show, the team look at Haydock's and Taunton's Saturday cards, on which they're in agreement against the 5-6 favourite Queen Gamble.

To finish, the team give their New Year's Day racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs.

It's the Front Page end of year special and panellists Tom Kerr, Maddy Playle, David Jennings and Lee Mottershead take you on a whistle-stop tour of the year's biggest stories and use that as a springboard to preview the stories and questions that are going to dominate 2024.

Will we finally find out what's happening with affordability checks?
Is the Irish gambling bill a threat to the future of the sport?
Who's the next Frankie Dettori - and will the man himself be back in 2024?
Is Premier racing going to be the next big thing or a busted flush?
Has Animal Rising deflated for good and are the changes to the National a mistake?
Who are the superstars to watch out for on the track?

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings, Tom Park and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Ascot and Haydock this weekend.

The first part of the show is on Ascot, with the main focus being the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle featuring some legends of the National Hunt game such as Champ, Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher. Will the panel be taking on some of these old-timers?

In the second part of the show, the team look at Haydock's Saturday card, on which there is an agreement on an 8-1 selection in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.

To finish, the team give their Christmas racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs.

Sam Hart is joined by Maddy Playle, James Stevens and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Cheltenham and Doncaster this weekend.

The first part of the show focuses on Cheltenham where there are some incredibly competitive handicaps taking place. The December Gold Cup looks a strong race as always, and the panel provide their tips the big race.

In the second part, the team look at Doncaster's Saturday card, on which there is an agreement on a 9/1 selection in the final race. 

 To finish, the team give their selections away from the ITV cameras before giving their weekend NAPs.

Three big subjects and three big problems for racing make for a meaty edition of The Front Page.

Lee Mottershead, Chris Cook and Jonathan Harding begin by discussing a big-race weekend that featured Jonbon, El Fabiolo and, regrettably, scenes of violence at Aintree.

Serious questions are then asked about the imminent launch of Premier racing, with the panel discussing the lack of money and promotion that threatens to turn a bold concept into a damp squib.

Inadequate funding is also at the heart of concerns regarding aftercare provision in Britain, a subject that last week sparked parliamentary interest. The Front Page team examines what the sport needs to do and where the necessary money might be found.

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings, Keith Melrose and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Sandown and Aintree this weekend.

The first part of the show focuses on Sandown, with three Grade 1s taking place on the card. Will we get to see Constitution Hill light up Esher in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle? The panel give their thoughts on the big-race action.

We also get to hear from Nico de Boinville about his rides aboard Constitution Hill and Jonbon ahead of the weekend.

In the second part, the team look at Aintree's card on Saturday. We see the Grand National fences being jumped in the Becher Chase, which looks as competitive as ever.
 
To finish, the team give their selections away from the ITV cameras before giving their NAPs of the weekend.

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings and Jonny Pearson to preview the action at Newbury, Newcastle and Fairyhouse this weekend.

The first part of the show focuses on Newbury, with the highlight on the card being the competitive Coral Gold Cup. It looks like a real puzzle on paper, but Jonny has a NAP running in the race.

In the second part, the team take a brief look at the card at Newcastle and the return of the magnificent Constitution Hill, who is short odds to win another Grade 1 in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

To finish, the team take a look at some of the Sunday racing from Fairyhouse and give their best bets elsewhere, along with their NAPs for the weekend.

Big stories on and off the track are packed into the latest edition of The Front Page.

Lee Mottershead, Peter Scargill and Jonathan Harding start the programme by discussing the highs and lows of an incredible weekend, with Equinox, Shishkin, Galopin Des Champs, Fastorslow, Royale Pagaille and Bravemansgame among those whose performances are dissected.

The panel then attempts to make sense of the revelation that the government is assessing remote betting duty rates - a move that could be very bad news for British racing.

Britain jockeys believe the return of Paul Struthers as PJA chief executive is very good news. The Front Page trio ends this week's show by offering their thoughts on his return.