Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Charlotte Greenway builds up to the classic trials at Newbury in this week's Saturday Edition. Ahead of the Nell Gwyn, we hear from Angus Gold, racing manager to Shadwell, who discusses the chances of favourite Touleen. Richard Fahey provides an update on Catching The Moon and how she has progressed over the winter while Emma Banks looks forward to seeing Princess Petrol take her chance and shares what they’re hoping to see from her tomorrow. Onto the colts trial, the Greenham, trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has an update on favourite Zavateri and looks at how ready he’s going to be for his seasonal debut. Finally, Karl Burke looks forward to Convergent reappearing in the John Porter, a horse he’s always held in high regard.

Nick is joined by Rishi Persad to cast eye over Friday's racing news and talking points. Eve Johnson Houghton opens the show, hoping that her stable star Zavateri can better another Ballydoyle hotshot in tomorrow's Greenham Stakes at Newbury. Also today, owner-breeder Emma Banks talks about those twin passions, her guest starring role in the upcoming TBA webinar, and Princess Petrol in tomorrow's Fred Darling. James Willoughby looks ahead to the clash between Sovereignty and Journalism in the Oaklawn Handicap, while Dan Skelton tells us that there are still goals to achieve this season, runs through his team for Ayr this weekend, and reflects on a record breaking purchase at Tatts Cheltenham yesterday.

Nick is joined by ITV Racing's Matt Chapman, who begins today's show with a report on the situation at Brighton racecourse, whose intended fixture on Saturday has been shelved owing to track damage from leatherjackets and badgers. Also today, Stuart Williams reflects on shock Nell Gwyn winner Azleet, and Richard Fahey on his chances of winning the Fred Darling. Plus, young bloodstock agent Charlie Dee explains how he bought a Keeneland Grade One winner from humble origins, while NYRA's Andrew Offerman looks forward to the opening of Belmont Park this autumn. Ben Atkins drops in for a look at the Point to Point scene.

Tom in for Nick and joined by senior writer at the Racing Post Lee Mottershead. We initially discuss two key bits of news that broke yesterday. First, trainer Evan Williams being sentenced to three years in prison having been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm. Second, the news that Laafi has indeed been disqualified from the race in which he finished first past the post at Aintree and we ask whether or not it would be preferable to DQ horses on the day. Trainer Oliver Greenall gives his view and also talks of a new syndicate venture he and Josh Guerriero are rolling out. We hear from Charlie Poste who has more horses going through the ring today at Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale and he also touches on rider Sam Lee whose funeral it is today. With that in mind and in response to the Sky News feature on jockey mental health, Nick is joined by chief executive of the IJF Lisa Hancock who speaks of all the work they do on this front. Newbury's George Hill gives an update on the latest conditions at the track which throw Constitution Hill's participation in the John Porter into doubt. Karl Burke is likely to have the favourite for that race and he touches on his touches as well as Hankelow in tomorrow's Craven Stakes and we have the latest from Hong Kong with Jim McGrath.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV presenter Jane Mangan to look through today's racing headlines. Leading the show today is an interview with Social Market Foundation Senior Fellow Dr James Noyes, who explains his evolving stance on affordability checks and his letter to Lisa Nandy in yesterday's Guardian. Neil Channing has commentary. On the racing front, Shadwell boss Angus Gold talks Guineas fancy Touleen, while George Boughey has news of Bow Echo's work on the Rowley Mile this morning, and Dan Barber straddles both codes. Dr Ashley Parker from Ascot Stud, Johannesburg, is this week's bloodstock guest.