Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined this morning by the Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead to look again at the decision by the stewards at Epsom to declare Benvenuto Cellini a non-runner whilst Jason Tan, based in New Zealand explains why he believes we’re behind the times in the UK with this rule having not been in place sooner. Ahead of the Prix de Diane this weekend, Nick catches up with David Menuisier, who’s hoping Inis Mor can go close and Lee and Nick spin through the likely key contenders. Will Aitkenhead has the latest Royal Ascot update before Richard Langley, head groundsman at Brighton joins the show to discuss his attempt to break a world record, which would be a remarkable feat. Dan Barber is back again to look back on a handicapping performance from Epsom that could put this horse right up there in the big leagues and his trainer Roger Varian shares where we might see him next. Finally Greg Carpenter of the HKJC shares his delight at Ka Ying Rising receiving a rating of 130, putting him to the top of the tree and Oli Bell is at the GOFFS Arkle Sale catching up with Willie Mullins.

Nick joined this morning by Racing TV’s Lydia Hislop to reflect on the Betfred Derby Festival. They start with the controversial decision by the stewards to declare Benvenuto Cellini, the Derby favourite, a non-runner after getting his foot caught up in the stalls and crossing the line in 10th place. Simon Nott, who was reporting for Star Sports from the betting ring on the day, explained how this all went down and how punters were affected. Lydia and Nick also discuss the merits of Derby winner Christmas Day and how highly we can rank that performance given the attritional conditions with Dan Barber giving Timeform’s view, whilst William Haggas shares his delight at Maltese Cross finishing second and looks at what might be next for him. Francis Graffard drops in briefly to give an update on Calandagan, who was never going in the Coronation Cup, and then we review the action stateside with Adam Mills of Total Performance Data looking at the Belmont Stakes. Finally, Eva O’Neill is at the Goffs Land Rover sale speaking to Peter Molony about the two-year-old section.

Eva O'Neill brings you the Saturday edition this week with all attention to Saturday afternoon's Betfred Derby. Kevin Blake and Anna-Lisa Balding speak to both Charlotte and Eva on Wednesday at the Derby draw. Kia Joorabchian and Alex Elliott speak to Nick about Amo Racing's runners in the Derby along with Alex's thoughts about Bay of Brilliance. Following the Oaks Eva spoke to Joseph O'Brien after his success with Thundering On and Andrew Cooper updates about the ground conditions at Epsom.

Nick bringing you the show today from Epsom racecourse ahead of the Bedford Derby festival, kicking off later today. He’s joined by Racing TV is Lydia Hislop and first off Nick catches up with Jockey Club CEO Jim Mullen on track before CEO of the Horserace Betting Levy Board Alan Delmonte joins the show. CEO of the Tote, Alex Frost, looks at another big weekend for WorldPool before Ian Fortune is along to preview the greyhound Derby. David Johnson of Timeform looks at the Epsom Classics through the Timeform lens and Paddy Chesters shares his hopes for another big double at Epsom this year for Chester Racecourse. And just to add to the show, the wine tipster Neil Phillips has a new bottle for us to try.

The buildup to Saturday’s Epsom Derby continues as Nick, joined by RTÉ’s Jane Mangan, catches up first with Dylan Browne-McMonagle who will be aboard James J Braddock. Dylan also discusses his ride Thundering On in Friday’s Oaks, before Kia Joorabchian shares whether he thinks one of his two runners might be able to spring a bit of a surprise. Alex Elliot, also involved in the buying of those horses, looks at their chance along with Bay of Brilliance, who could be a lively outsider. Our Weatherby segment comes to you a little bit later this week as Nick checks in with Craig Bennett on the evolution of his Merry Fox Stud. The Royal Ascot buildup continues with Will Aitkenhead and Harriet Rochester has news of a new initiative from the ROA in partnership with Godolphin.