Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates for the first show of 2023. Trainer Alan King kicks off proceedings today with news of Edwardstone, nominating the Clarence House at Ascot as his next target, followed by the Game Spirit at Newbury. Nick and Dave look back at the weekend action - Minella Indo, Hermes Allen and Marie's Rock are under the spotlight - in the company of bloodstock agent Tom Malone, who has sourced a number of exciting recruits who have struck in bumpers recently for Paul Nicholls. Nick and Dave also discuss Harry Skelton's new trademark celebration, and reflect on the career of Mark Johnston, as Nick talks to his son Charlie, who has his first runner with a sole license today. Later in the show, we hear from Pat Gallagher, owner of Tolworth Hurdle favourite Authorized Speed, and Daily Telegraph writer Marcus Armytage tells us what it feels like to ride Constitution Hill.

Ep 646 - Edwardstone all set for Ascot run

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror writer David Yates to discuss the latest news and developments from around the racing world. Looking over the stories from the Gordon Elliott/Paul Nicholls pre-Cheltenham mornings, they check in on the much talked about wellbeing of Davy Russell following his crunching fall at the Dublin Festival. Nick recorded today's episode at Grange Hill farm, home to Nigel Twiston Davies, whose son Sam joins the show to talk about the stable's training ethos and the horses likely to make the Festival, including I Like to Move It. Later in this epsiode, Vincent Ho pays tribute to the horse that has changed his life, Golden Sixty, while Norman Court Stud's Simon Taplin is this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest and Nick and Dave pay tribute to the late Jim Lewis.

Ep 687 - Russell: "I'll be fit and ready for Cheltenham."

It's the third anniversary of the CoVid lockdown and we're back on Zoom as Johnny almost heads to Cheltenham for his annual week of work. There's all kinds of zany on this weeks show as we ask if Shamrock Rovers lost the killer instinct and whether it’s good for fans and players to talk. Johnny and Dan caught up with Rory Gaffney to talk Tolka, title races and… Tuam slang. Later, Sligo Rovers (or Rovers) manager John Russell dialled in to discuss recruitment, management stress and the inevitable Galway United related tangents. Our bumper Collar & Cuff mailbag deals with the usual diverse and eclectic mix of the sublime, the ridiculous, and whether St. Pat's are in crisis. All this Saint Patrick's week malarky is because of the continued and staunch support of Future Ticketing, Rascals Brewery and Collar and Cuff even if Johnny thinks its Easter already! So put away the creme eggs for now and tune into episode five. It's not like you've work in the morning!

LOI Central S07E05 with John Russell and Rory Gaffney

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They lead with the news that the petition against affordability checks has reached the threshold to trigger consideration for parliamentary debate and wonder whether this will be realised. They are joined by RCA CEO David Armstrong, who issues a stark message as regards the future funding of the sport with reference to plunging bookmaker turnover. Also on today's show, Nick and Lee discuss the first winning ride to result in a whip overuse DQ, the impending publication of a report into sexual harassment in racing, and the weekend racing. Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore join the show to talk Ahoy Señor, Coach Rambler and more, while Warren Greatrex eyes up this weekend's options for Bill Baxter. JA McGrath brings the latest from Hong Kong ahead of HKIR, and Nick chats to Vincent Ho as Golden Sixty's next assignment looms.

Ep 884 - Will 100,000 signatures make any difference?

Nick is joined by journalist and television presenter Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest goings on in the world of Horseracing. With the novice chase divisions threatening to really take shape this weekend, Paul Nicholls considers how he might play his best hand with Stay Away Fay, Hermes Allen and Ginny's Destiny. Also on today's show, Noel George underlines Il Est Francais plans, which don't include Cheltenham, while Kim Bailey looks forward to applying headgear to stable star Trelawne in the Grade One Scilly Isles. From Ireland ahead of the Dublin Racing Festival, Nick chats to Sean Graham, who discusses Ile Atlantique, Bunting and sidelined Energumene on behalf of owner Tony Bloom, and JJ Slevin ahead of his Irish Gold Cup ride on Fastorslow. Ciaràn de Barra of Bellewstown Diamond Stud joins the show as our Weatherbys guest to discuss his new stallion Marie's Diamond.

Ep 926 - How does Nicholls shuffle novice pack?

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest goings on in the racing world. They lead with the much-anticipated clash between star novices Gaelic Warrior and Marine Nationale at the upcoming Dublin Racing Festival, and get the thoughts of the latter's owner/trainer Barry Connell. Also on today's show, Nick talks to Patrick Veitch about his new tie-up with Tony Bloom. Veitch also offers some interesting general commentary about ownership and betting in the UK, and Nick gets the views of punter and political analyst Neil Channing, particularly on the parliamentary debate scheduled for Feb 26th. Nick tracks down Lossiemouth's breeder, Ian Kellit, while JA McGrath is along for his weekly take on events in Hong Kong.

Ep 927 - Can Gaelic get Marine off the bridle?

Nick is joined by David Yates from the Daily Mirror to reflect on today's news from the world of Horseracing. First they pay tribute to Keagan Kirkby, the point to point rider and key member of Paul Nicholls's team, who was killed in a fall on Sunday. They reflect on the action from the Dublin Racing Festival, and hear a detailed review of the stable's Grade One 8-timer from assistant David Casey. Also on today's show, Nick remembers Hardy Eustace in the company of Conor O'Dwyer, while Total Performance Data's Will Duff-Gordon brings news of a groundbreaking data partnership, and the PJA's Dale Gibson airs his grievances at the amount of evening fixtures in February for the jockeys' workload.

Ep 930 - The Toughest Game

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to look at the latest news from around the racing world today. With the Grand National entries released, Nick talks to Gordon Elliott, who has no fewer than 26 of the long range engagements. Elliott advocates for multiple entries, talks about the Mullins dominance of the DRF, and reflects on yesterday's dispersal sale. Also on today's show, agent Tessa Greatrex also looks back on goings on at Fairyhouse yesterday as she stepped in for some high profile purchases, while trainer Ben Pauling and Newbury Clerk George Hill look ahead to this weekend, and Timeform's Dan Barber offers perspective on the performances of Ballyburn and others at the DRF. Frank Dorff from Gestut Röttgen is the Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

Ep 931 - Could Gordon saddle half the Grand National field?

NIck is joined by Mirror man David Yates to canter through the racing headlines today. They lead with the story of Curtis Wilson-Ruddock, apprentice jockey diagnosed with ADHD, whose treatment for failing to provide a sample has incurred the wrath of PJA boss Paul Struthers, who joins the show. Also on today's show, the best of yesterday's media days with Willie Mullins and Share Hanlon, while Nick catches up with Shishkin's breeder  Clive Bennett and his assistant Lucy Smith, plus the Timeform perspective from Dan Barber. Haras de Cercy's Andree Cypres is this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

Ep 936 - PJA boss blasts "wholly inappropriate" BHA in ADHD case

Tom in for Nick and joined initially by trainer Gavin Cromwell who now has the favourite for the Randox Grand National after yesterday’s weights reveal. Josh Moore is also along to assess the chances of Nassalam in the race and he looks ahead to the weekend with a couple of live chances in the Graded action at Kempton. Rishi Persad gives his views on the National weights and this weekend’s racing as well as the news of the Horse Welfare board’s horse census, yet to be published, where we welcome in new board member Kate Sigsworth to talk of the HWB’s role and challenges ahead. Plus we check in on the world of pointing with Ben Atkins in association with ThoroughBid.

Ep 942 - New National Favourite

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.

Ep 961 - Fat Lady Sings on Opera Guineas bid

Nick Luck Daily

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