Nick Luck Daily Podcast

The annual 'Chance or No Chance?' podcast is back ahead of the 2026 Randox Grand National as Nick and Lydia Hislop takes you through all 34 runners in tomorrow's famous Steeplechase, wrapping up with both their 1-2-3-4-5. Plus our regular contributors all send in their picks for tomorrow's big race with a wide spread of selections.

Day 2 of the Randox Grand National Festival and Nick comes to you from the track, alongside Lydia Hislop, to look ahead to the action this afternoon as well as reflect on yesterday’s results. Mouse Morris is along as he supervises his Topham runner Indiana Jones as well as Kieran Burke who has Soul Icon in the sam contest this afternoon. Dan Barber has the latest from Timeform and finally Laura Wright joins the line up ahead of singing the national anthem ahead of tomorrow’s big race.

Coming to you live from Aintree on Day 1 of the Random Grand National Festival and Nick is joined by David Yates to look ahead to the action this afternoon whilst Matt Chapman makes an appearance whilst out on track. Georgina Scott is out picking grass with last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace who steps back up in trip this afternoon in the Aintree Hurdle and discusses her chance whilst Cian Collins share his hopes for Jazzy Matty, who makes a surprise appearance over hurdles tomorrow, taking advantage of a lower mark than over fences. We get the word on other horses out and about including Bill Baxter, who tomorrow will bid to win a second Topham and Molly Armytage looks ahead to her first ride over the famous National fences in this afternoon’s Foxhunters’. Ahead of this evening’s GOFFS Sale on course, Derek O’Connor and Tim Kent run through the catalogue whilst NYRA’s Chief Revenue Officer Tony Allevato catches up with Nick as they discuss the role Fox and NYRA could play as FanDuel and preparing to wind down. Finally, Will Kedjanyi has a politics update and previews the latest Bet the House podcast.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick this Wednesday morning and joined by the Mirror’s David Yates. As declarations and jockey bookings come through Charlotte and Dave give their immediate reaction including to that of Willie Mullins’s decision to jock up Tom Bellamy on last year‘s winner Nick Rockett, with son Patrick opting to ride Grangeclare West. Josh Guerriero explains the decision to put first time cheap pieces on Jagwar in the National and offers an update as well on Iroko. Jockey Lorcan Williams looks ahead to a couple of big rides on day one of the festival including former Champion hurdler Golden Ace before trainer Max Comley shares his hopes for his two in the mares bumper and seemed cautiously optimistic that Burds of a Feather will put her best foot forward. Henry Beesley has a market update from Fitzdares before we hear about the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up sale catalogue from Jason Singh and we wrap up with our weekly update from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead for a look at today's racing headlines. Looking ahead to Aintree, Nick is joined by trainer Gordon Elliott (six likely runners in the Grand National) and owner Richard Thompson (Grangeclare West). Plus, Paul Byrne on owning Irish National winner Soldier in Milan, BHA CEO Brant Dunshea on today's open letter to the Secretary of State on affordability checks, Dan Barber's Timeform perspective, and CJ Smith on the revival of racing in Zimbabwe.

Nick is joined by Jane Mangan on Easter Monday for a look at the key racing headlines from around the world. Trainer David Hayes is first on today's show to respond to this morning's outrageous performance from Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin, extending his unbeaten streak to 19. Also on the show today, Nick and Jane begin the build up in earnest to the Randox Grand National, with news from trainers Jimmy Mangan and Gavin Cromwell, including important defectors from the race. Plus. Rachel King on becoming the first woman to win the Australian Derby, jockey Clifford Lee on his extraordinary comeback win on Al Qareem, and Adam Mills runs the rule over the weekend's key Kentucky Derby trials.

Charlotte Greenway bringing you the podcast on Good Friday and joined by RTÉ‘s Jane Mangan. They look ahead to the action this weekend with particular focus on Fairyhouse's Easter Festival for which the highlight will be Monday’s Boyle Sports Irish Grand National. Sean Graham, racing manager to Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, is along to discuss next steps for those in their burgeoning ownership empire including Energumene who runs Monday and two fillies that could play a big role in the Classics this flat season Venetian Sun and My Ophelia. Finally, Simon Marsh debriefs us on his recent trip to the Inglis Easter yearling sale where Watership Down purchased a AU$2.2 million Too Darn Hot colt.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick and joined by the Racing Post's Jonathan Harding, who starts by looking at the issues at Chelmsford racecourse that meant today and tomorrow’s fixtures will not take place. Since the BHA’s ruling yesterday, both parties have posted contradicting statements and Jon looks at whose role it was to protect trainers, owners, jockey etc in this situation. Trainer Ben Pauling joins the show to look ahead to Monday’s Irish National, for which he has favourite The Jukebox Kid, as well as running through his team for Aintree and Punchestown. Paddy Twomey discusses some of his leading lights for the 2026 season and Ben Atkins has the latest from the point to pointing field in Britain.

Josh steps in for Nick on today’s episode of Nick Luck Daily, unpacking plenty of racing headlines. From the 2,000 Guineas scratching drama at Ballydoyle to the surprise reappearance entry of Oxted five years on. There’s discussion around the cancelled Chelmsford City fixtures and resulting owner frustration, reaction to Gemma Waterhouse’s departure from Racing Welfare, and Willie Mullins’ single entry for the Scottish Grand National - and what that could mean for the British Trainers’ Championship. The episode also previews Lambourn Open Day, while Neil Channing joins to talk betting shop closures and their wider impact, alongside the latest updates from Hong Kong with JA McGrath. Daily Mirror journalist Dave Yates is alongside throughout to offer insight and analysis.

Josh steps in for Nick with a packed show covering the key stories across racing, including Paul Nicholls’ plans for Aintree and his reaction to Cheltenham’s decision to cancel their final three fixtures due to track work. Harry Derham joins to discuss Jackie Hobbs’ Grade 1 chance at Fairyhouse and the future targets of his exciting novices, while Kieran Clark breaks down the standout Timeform performances from Dubai World Cup night and Erdenali’s striking debut at Saint-Cloud. The episode also dives into the first-season sire market with Mark Cancea, features Nick’s interview with Champion Bumper-winning breeder Christopher McKeever, and tackles the big talking point of Constitution Hill’s opening flat rating of 101, with the Racing Post’s Jonathan Harding on hand throughout to give his verdict.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick on Monday morning and joined by the Racing Post's Lee Mottershead. They start by bringing you the news that Cheltenham has cancelled its final three fixtures of the 2025/26 season and Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin is along to discuss this decision. In the aftermath of the Dubai World Cup meeting, Charlotte catches up with Nemone Routh, racing manager to the Aga Khan studs, after their stalwart Calandagan landed the Sheema Classic. Nemone also has news of 2025 Arc winner Daryz as he prepares to make his seasonal debut and also reflects on the astonishing debut from Erdenali yesterday. Dubai World Cup winning trainer Steve Asmussen joins the show as he speaks to Nick and Total Performance Data's Adam Mills dissects the Kentucky Derby trials from the weekend. Charlotte and Lee also reflect on the action from Doncaster and Ireland and look at FanDuel’s decision to wind down its TV production and what this means for US racing.

Charlotte Greenway is back with the Saturday Edition ahead of a bust weekend between racing at Meydan in Dubai, Doncaster in Britain and Rosehill in Australia. Kicking off in Meydan we hear from various connections including Francis Graffard (Calandagan); David Casey (Ethical Diamond); Hit Show (Florent Geroux); Jamie Osbourne (Heart of Honour and Brotherly Love); Harry Sweeney (Pyromancer); Jose D'Angelo (Bentornato); Alex Lieblong (Reef Runner) and Charlie Hills (Khaadem). Then onto Doncaster Harry Eustace and William Haggas discuss their leading chances in the Lincoln as well as others on the card plus William Haggas provides an update on his two runners at Rosehill this weekend,

On the show today, Nick is joined by ITV’s Matt Chapman to cover all the racing news from around the world, starting with William Haggas who’s set for a busy weekend with two runners at Rosehill in Australia, including Dubai Honour and fancies at the Lincoln meeting at Doncaster. William also discusses some of the exciting three year olds in the yards heading into the 2026 turf season. Legendary rider Patrick Valenzuela explains why at the age of 63, he’s making a comeback in the saddle, after nearly 10 years out. On the topic of jockeys, trainer David Loughnane reflects on the ban Billy Loughnane picked up at Wolverhampton last night aboard one of his horses that could see him spend three weeks on the sidelines. Finally, ahead of the Dubai World Cup meeting tomorrow, Florent Geroux looks forward to defending his crown in the big one aboard Hit Show.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Among talking points today are the government's refusal to reform the (Horserace Betting) Levy, the second Flat victory for Constitution Hill, the tenant operator of Chelmsford City racecourse going into administration, and the declaration of Albert Einstein for this Saturday's Gladness Stakes. In Dubai, Nick catches up with Godolphin Japan representative Harry Sweeney, plus Jamie Osborne - trainer of Heart of Honor and Brotherly Love - as well as Reef Runner's owner-breeder Alex Lieblong. Also today, Xander Brett brings us a special report on the imperilled future of jump racing in Sweden.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to spin through today's racing headlines. First up, Aidan O'Brien explains the surprise entry for Albert Einstein and a number of his other leading three year olds in Saturday's Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. Also on this show, Nick and Jane pay tribute to Sir Gino, the brilliant jumper, who died yesterday. Plus, David Casey on Ethical Diamond in Dubai and his own thoughts on the Mullins Grand National contenders. Charlie Hills looks forward to a possible Dubai-Doncaster big race double with Khaadem and Galeron, while trainer Jose D'Angelo gives us the lowdown on Golden Shaheen contender and Breeders' Cup hero Bentornato, and JA McGrath has all the latest from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Nick and Lee begin with a look at Constitution Hill's race at Kempton on Wednesday and bring you further developments in the Alan Spence case, which looks set to go to appeal. Reflecting on the mighty Australian filly Autumn Glow's latest romp, they are joined by her owner John Messara, who underlines the impact on everyone at his Arrowfield Stud and gives us his own wishlist of future accomplishments, including Royal Ascot 2027. Also today, legendary trainer Henrietta Knight talks to Nick about the differences in this incarnation of her training career following her double at Kempton yesterday, while Ben Haslam talks of his joy at scooping the £100,000 All Weaher bonus with Yorkshire Glory, and Dan Barber covers three continents in this week's Timeform wrap-up.

Nick brings you this episode from Munich airport as he makes his way back from the BMW Hong Kong Derby. He is joined by David Yates to bring you all the headlines from around the racing world. They are joined first by trainer Harry Eustace, whose La Botte is a warm order to win the first major race of the UK turf season, the William Hill Lincoln. Also Doncaster bound is Kathy Turner, who tells Nick about her three-pronged bid for the Brocklesby, named for her late father Bill. Around the globe - and ahead of the intended Dubai World Cup card this Saturday- Francis Graffard shares his confidence behind world champion Calandagan, while Michael Kent jnr reflects on Golden Slipper success at Rosehill with the hugely talented Guest House, and Mark Newnham looks back on a debut BMW Derby win at Sha Tin with Invincible Ibis. Nick and Dave also cover the Alan Spence case, which concluded shortly before the weekend.

Tom in for Nick and joined by the Racing Post’s Jonathan Harding. We speak initially to trainer Gordon Elliott who gives us the full debrief upon his Cheltenham Festival before looking ahead to Aintree and to his chances of being crowned Irish Champion trainer. Kieran Shoemark is along to look ahead to three rides at next week’s Dubai World Cup and to the new flat turf season in the UK. Nick has an update from the BHA’s CEO Brant Dunshea on a new cross-industry Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Ruth Jefferson looks ahead to a big weekend up north and we have Ben Atkins with us to talk all things pointing in association with the Tattersalls Cheltenham sale.

Nick - in Hong Kong - is joined by Mirror man David Yates to canter through the day's global horse racing headlines. They lead with the news that The Sun newspaper is continuing its 'Save Our Bets' campaign, with cross-industry backing, to face down the threat of yet more restrictive affordability checks and the migration to the unregulated market. BHA boss Brant Dunshea joins the show to discuss. Also today, Nick and Dave reflect on the conclusion of the de Boinville/Queally case as well as the Welsh Greyhound Racing ban. In Hong Kong, Nick catches up with trainer Mark Newnham, with Invincible Ibis a big runner in Sunday's Derby and fresh from a 5-timer at Happy Valley. Meanwhile, Annabel Archibald drops in to tell us about the claims of Chayan, her likely favourite for Saturday's Golden Slipper, plus David Letts on the ROA/RSA's series of racecourse events to convert fans to ownership and Chester Racecourse's Patrick Chesters on the new partnership with NYRA.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick today and joined by RTE's Jane Mangan. They look back on Cheltenham and pick out some of the key moments whilst also hearing from successful trainers AJ O'Neill and Padraig Roche on where there Festival successors might head next. Jane give her view on Nick Rockett's prep run for the National and runs through the list of jockeys who are set to miss a number of days at Aintree through whip bans picked up at Cheltenham. Jane then recounts her trip to Ballydoyle and nominates the horse made the biggest impression before we have bad news from the greyhound world, along with a statement from GBGB's CEO Mark Bird. It's Wednesday so we wrap up by heading off to Hong Kong for an update from JA McGrath.