Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is in Melbourne on the eve of Champions Day, the final day of the carnival. First, Neil Channing reacts to Betfred founder Fred Done carrying out his threat to pull sponsorship of all five British Classics. He warns that it won’t be the last sponsor to walk away while betting shops keep closing, and he gives his view on Bradley Walsh’s Channel 4 gambling show. Back home, the jumps season really gets going. Josh Stacey runs through the big storylines from a strong weekend at Aintree, including Mydaddypaddy’s clash with Alexei in the Molyneux Hurdle and the “six-pointer” for Paul Nicholls as No Drama This End takes on his former inmate Talk To The Man. Josh also looks ahead to Kopek Des Bordes’ return in Ireland. Alexei’s trainer Joe Tizzard explains why his stable star skips the Fighting Fifth to start at Aintree and gives an update on stable jockey Brendan Powell after his arm operation. In Melbourne, Adam Peacock previews a Champions Day of possible coronations, with Tempted in the sprint, Autumn Glow in the mile and a Cox Plate rematch in the Champions Stakes. Autumn Glow’s owner John Messara then explains why Royal Ascot is no longer in the plan for his superstar mare. Plus, a tip from Josh for Aintree on Saturday.

Nick is at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day, joined by the Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead. Lee reflects on a Melbourne Cup week that has the carnival “very much on the up again”, Proxima Dea’s dominant Oaks win and Dom Sutton’s success with Sulek in the Country Final for Grand National-winning owner Stuart Andrew. Legendary Las Vegas oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough tells the remarkable story of a life spent gambling, from going broke at Del Mar to creating the first computer programs for sports betting odds. Lee also gives his take on Billy Loughnane joining William Buick as a Godolphin retained rider, and whether the lack of a hierarchy could make life complicated for Charlie Appleby. Owner Barry O’Brien, second in the Cup with Zahrann, explains how he became an “overnight success after 35 years” with 10 Group 1 wins in 18 months and shares his hopes for Sir Delius and Birdman in Saturday’s Champions Stakes. Chas Armitage of Country Racing Victoria explains the importance of the country racing circuit, and former Great British Racing man James Oldring, now chief executive of Perth Racing, tells Nick why Ascot WA pays out more prize money than Ascot UK. Plus, Lee’s Champions Day tip.

Tom in for Nick and joined initially by Godolphin CEO Hugh Anderson who reflects on the appointment of champion jockey Billy Loughnane as Godolphin retained rider, alongside William Buick. Rishi Persad gives his view on the appointment noting the absence of any hierarchy within the new retained positions. Rishi also reflects on his experience at the Breeders’ Cup and assess the possible futures of the Classic runners staying in training. On that note we hear from bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo who bought Classic 2nd The Puma. He tells us why the Saudi Cup could be on his agenda. Turning our attention the jump racing, Rishi and Tom reflect on Noel Meade’s career to date having trained his 3000th winner yesterday. And we hear from Paul Nicholls who is chasing down Martin Pipe’s all time record number of winners. And it’s Wednesday so we get the latest from Hong Kong with Jim McGrath.

Recorded from Flemington Racecourse in the aftermath of the Melbourne Cup, won impressively by Point of Law. Nick is joined by his co host Adam Peacock throughout as he also catches up with winning owner Johnny O'Neil and winning trainer Ciaron Maher, who also had the 2-3-5. Cairon's CEO Sam Cavanough shares what it means for the whole team, whislt Dylan Browne McMonagle reflects on his fourth place. We also hear from Kylie Rogers, Chief Exec of the VRC, Nick Smith who discusses the possibility of Point of Law making the trip back to Britain for Royal Ascot next year and finally Dan Barber has a Timeform update as he looks back on the action from the weekend.

Nick is in transit between Kentucky and Melbourne today, but before he left he caught up with NBC’s Matt Bernier to reflect on Breeders’ Cup 43. The favourites ruled the weekend, and Matt explains why that made it a frustrating two days for American punters but a memorable one for the sport. They also discuss Sovereignty’s farewell in the Classic, T O Elvis’s extraordinary Sprint win over Englishman, Notable Speech’s bad luck in the Mile, Ryan Moore’s ride on Benvenuto Cellini, Billy Loughnane’s late booking for Libertango, and whether Hughes and Emphatic can go on as three-year-olds.

Charlotte Greenway is joined by the Mirror’s David Yates back in the UK. Total Performance Data’s Adam Mills explains what the sectionals tell us about Sovereignty and the juveniles. The Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead reports from Melbourne on JP McManus and Paul Byrne’s huge bets on Hopewell Rock at Call of the Card, and he previews tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup. Hollie Doyle talks about her comeback winner at Southwell after five months out injured and her plans for Hong Kong this winter. Plus Dave runs through the weekend’s jumps action, including Pic D’Orhy’s Charlie Hall success for the Skeltons, Haiti Couleurs’ first Grade 1 at Down Royal and the row over the ground there, and he marks the end of the Betfair Forum.