Podcast appearances and mentions of dan skelton

Nick - in Kentucky - is joined by Lydia, in Punchestown, for an edition that threatened to be derailed before it began. But fear not: here it is, in the company of Willie Mullins, who reflects on his season and looks forward to more success this week with Denis Kirwan. Plus, Ed Walker and Jim Boyle on their Guineas hopefuls, Ballylinch's John O'Connor on Bayside Boy's blistering start at stud, and Dan Barber on how Dan Skelton broke all the records. Also today, Emma Webb tells us about a beautiful sculpture auctioned by Tattersalls Online in aid of DoItForBrodie, a charity set up in honour of her daughter, who took her own life at 16.

Nick - in Kentucky - is joined by Lydia, in Punchestown, for an edition that threatened to be derailed before it began. But fear not: here it is, in the company of Willie Mullins, who reflects on his season and looks forward to more success this week with Denis Kirwan. Plus, Ed Walker and Jim Boyle on their Guineas hopefuls, Ballylinch's John O'Connor on Bayside Boy's blistering start at stud, and Dan Barber on how Dan Skelton broke all the records. Also today, Emma Webb tells us about a beautiful sculpture auctioned by Tattersalls Online in aid of DoItForBrodie, a charity set up in honour of her daughter, who took her own life at 16.

Charlotte Greenway bringing you the Nick Luck Daly from the yard of the Betfred 2000 Guineas favourite, Bow Echo, as we hear from his trainer George Boughey, five days out from the first classic of the British flat season. David Yates joins Charlotte throughout and gives his views on both the colts and fillies classics this weekend before reflecting on the action we've seen over the last few days. Starting at Sandown and the performances of Raaheeb and Opera Ballo before moving to the jumps action, comments on the ground and Dan Skelton breaking the £5 million prize money barrier. Looking further afield we hear from Nick in Hong Kong as he joined by trainer of Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes, after his runaway success in the Chairman Sprint and James McDonald Jockey of Romantic Warrior basking in the glory. David Johnson of Timeform shares their figures and Barry Connell looks ahead to his three runners at Punchestown this week in the Grade 1s.

WhoDan Skelton, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Mountain, OntarioRecorded onJune 26, 2025About Blue Mountain, OntarioClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Alterra Mountain CompanyLocated in: The Blue Mountains, Ontario, CanadaYear founded: 1941Pass affiliations: Unlimited on Ikon and Ikon BaseBase elevation: 229 feet/750 metersSummit elevation: 1,480 feet/451 metersVertical drop: 730 feet/223 metersSkiable acres: 364 acres/147 hectaresAverage annual snowfall: 154 inches/391 centimetersTrail count: 43Lift count: 11 (5 six-packs, 1 fixed-grip quad, 1 triple, 4 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Blue Mountain, Ontario's lift fleet)Why I interviewed him: A Very Dumb Story About a Very Dumb Person, Volume IIn the winter of 1995-96, I developed Vertical Fever, a syndrome in which the afflicted believes, in a way that is beyond reason and immune from contrary arguments, that the skiing will be better if the ski hill is taller.This was a problem. Because in 1995, I lived, as I had all my life up to that point, in Michigan. Specifically, Sanford, a flat town in a flat county in what may be the flattest region of the country, the Tri-Cities area of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Fortunately for a skier, Michigan is cold and full of ski areas. Unfortunately, these ski areas are small or short or both. The tallest of the 33 ski areas inventoried on the 1995 Michigan Downhill Skiing Guide is Boyne Highlands, which then and today promotes a probably made-up vertical drop of 550 feet. Right across the street was 427-vertical-foot Nub's Nob, one of six Lower Peninsula ski areas to exceed 400 vertical, along with Caberfae (485 feet), Shanty Creek Schuss Mountain (450 feet), Sugar Loaf (500 feet), and Boyne Mountain (495 feet).I'd skied all of these and I'd skied them all many times since my first real ski season, which was the previous winter, 1994-95. But once I'd stopped summersaulting down the hill and learned to carve and to land jumps, I grew bored. Skiing in 1995 was not like skiing in 2026. Terrain parks were rare and, anyway, off limits to skiers. Jumping was forbidden. There were signs all over saying so. Everything was groomed and everything was about carving turns, even though grooming was inconsistent and the shaped skis that would transform the average skier into a carver were years away from mass market distribution.So I scoured maps and guidebooks for ski areas of any size in any direction that I could reasonably drive to. To the south lay Ohio and Indiana. Useless. To the north, at the far western end of the Upper Peninsula, lay several 600-ish footers (Mount Bohemia did not open until 2000), but Michigan is a deceptively large state made larger by the inconvenience of driving around gigantic lakes – those UP ski areas were 10 hours away. But also to the north, east instead of west and just over the Canadian border, lay Searchmont: 750 vertical feet of ungladed bananas skiing, with little cliffs and rocks and glades all over. It was a glorious real-life validation of the less-stuffy Canadian ski-area management culture that I'd read about in Skiing and Powder. And it was only a four-hour drive each way, an easy daytrip on the cruise-control-empty interstates of northern Michigan. This is what a Canadian 700-plus-footer is like, I decided, and I searched for more of them.That's when I became obsessed with Blue Mountain, this mysterious guidebook mapdot floating south of Lake Huron. Stat-line, as listed in contemporary guide books: 720 vertical feet, 13 chairlifts and two T-bars, 920 skiable acres (this was, um, not accurate). A Midwest hack, a backdoor to a secret mini-New England unknown to Michiganders. As with Searchmont, I would rise at 4 and arrive by lifts-on and soar all day among the woodsy wide-open drop-step terrain of Ontario yahoo skiing.Yeah it didn't work out like that. The first time I tried to drive to Blue Mountain, I wound up at Mount Brighton, 273 miles away in Southeast Michigan. A blizzard had forced course correction to a more achievable destination. But the second time, I made it. Here's how it went, per a journal entry I wrote few days later:Monday, March 25th, 1996 – 11:53 p.m.Let's just call Friday the day that didn't quite flow. In fact, it didn't flow like no day on skis ever hasn't. First off, I only slept four hours. Normally , I wouldn't give a f**k, but that was directly following three hours the night before, which didn't help my status in an already exhausting week. Then there was the drive. I figured four, maybe five hours at the most, 250 miles, give or take. Wrong. I only realized this somewhere well over the Canadian border. Six hours, 350 miles. Then there's the mountain.I knew Blue was big, but I was not, I'll admit, in any way, shape, or form prepared for what I found Friday. The place is enormous by Midwest standards, though not as mammoth as I'd originally thought coming up the road, scoping out the two private resorts. Notice I said “enormous,” not necessarily “good.” Which is sad, cause, for one thing, they're trying pretty hard to make a good hill, and, #2, I drove a long f****n' way to get there. The whole thing bore a striking resemblance to western skiing – enormous base lodges, hugely wide runs, high-speed chairs. Which I suppose makes it ideal for families. Then there's the fifty miles or so of safety fence, zero ungroomed runs, and as many jumps as a Fat Albert convention. This, I surmise, makes it extremely unideal for Stuarts. In fact, I really didn't enjoy it at all. It was bland, repetitive, and almost sickening in its nature. I was tired, pissed, and lonely. The highlight of the day was jumping off the cornice which was the subject of much inner conflict. But I did it, and I'm glad, and then I drove home, and I'm glad for that too.I only skied four-and-a-half hours. My ticket was good til' ten, but I considered a lot of things. For starters, it only cost me twenty bucks; second, I told Clint I was gonna make it a point to get out of there by four [to hang out], so I sorta tried; third, I'd skied the whole f****n' place anyhow, and I really didn't feel like getting home at four AM. It's not like I didn't ski well, cause I was actually carving and reacting magnificently (to the terrain, not the carving). I was fluid, but I needed more variety, and they just didn't deliver.It would have been nice to have the internet in 1996 (it existed, but almost no one used it, partly because there was almost nothing on it, including driving directions, maps, or trailmaps).Great endorsement of Blue Mountain, Stu. You managed to convince people not to go and make the people who do ski there feel bad about it all at once. Slow clap for aggressive transparency.But my message here is hardly “Blue Mountain sucks don't go.” Blue Mountain is, as it was 30 years ago, exactly what it needs to be: a rapid-fire lap machine optimized to provide a consistent ski experience to the residents of Canada's densest metro area, Toronto. Blue is, historically and probably still, the third-busiest ski area in Canada after Tremblant and Whistler. It is a low-altitude, variable-weather, high-volume business tasked with the twin burdens of being the sole public outpost for recreational skiing in a ridgeline of upscale private clubs and being a profitable enterprise. It is, from a dollar-generating and Ikon Pass-dispersal-to-the-West point of view, probably one of Alterra's most important ski areas.The problem, then, is not that every ski area isn't like Searchmont. The problem is that, in 1996, I thought every ski area should be like Searchmont. It was like walking into a pizza parlor and complaining that they didn't sell tacos. I was young and dumb, and it didn't occur to me until arrival that a 700-ish-vertical-foot ski area dangling off the far eastern end of the Lake Superior wilderness (Searchmont), would, by custom and by necessity, offer a far different ski experience than a 700-ish-vertical-foot satellite orbiting metro Toronto (Blue). I thought every ski area should be for me and for people like me, like the people I read about in ski magazines who toured B.C. in rusty pickup trucks and never took bathroom breaks and who viewed skiing as a constant level-up challenge.Thirty years later, I view Blue Mountain differently, for two reasons. The first is that I'm sure that Blue, like nearly all North American ski areas, is a more interesting mountain in 2026 than it was in 1996. Freeski culture and snowboarding really did loosen up skiing's stodgier tendencies, most visibly with the widespread building of come-one-come-all terrain parks. The second is that I no longer approach ski areas by asking if they are the best possible experience for me, but if they are the best possible version of themselves for the demographic of skiers who are most likely to ski there. And with Blue – which I will admit, I never visited again - the answer appears to be, always and ever upward, yes.What we talked aboutOh Ontario; being a Canadian ski area owned by a U.S. company; “one of the beauties of being part of Alterra is our emphasis on honoring and preserving the uniqueness of each resort and each mountain community”; Blue Mountain's Reserve Pass; fixing up Blue's disordered lift mazes; growing up at the base of Blue Mountain; the amazing evolution of ski area technology; Blue's wacky, charismatic founder; preserving the mountain's independent character after it's been absorbed by a conglomerate; Blue in the ‘70s; building Blue's snowmaking system; big leaps forward in snowmaking during the 1990s; the rise of HKD; Alterra's point of view on snowmaking; the hit-or-miss Lake Huron and Georgian Bay lake-effect snowbelts; snowmaking in the era of climate change; how snow-depth technology impacts snowmaking volumes; living through the transition from independence to Intrawest and ultimately to Alterra; how the village transformed Blue; “we come to the table scrappy, inventive, entrepreneurial” to this company of mega-resort destinations; the impact of the Ikon Pass; Blue's amazing lift fleet and how the six-pack became the mountain's workhorse; building chairlifts in-house; 15,000 skiers on Blue's busiest days; “we're not going to cut any new trails, so we gotta squeeze every little bit out and make sure we have a balanced experience”; whether Blue could upgrade to an eight-place lift; operating as the only substantial public ski area amid a huge number of private ski areas; and Blue's history owning and operating the neighboring Georgian Peaks ski area.What I got wrongI mentioned that HKD President Charles Santry had told the same side of a story that Skelton shared on a previous podcast recording, which he had. The problem is that as of now, I still haven't released that pod with Santry. Stand by.Podcast NotesOn IntrawestA brief history of Intrawest:On “Rusty” in the Alterra/Ikon transitionSkelton was referring to Rusty Gregory, Alterra CEO from 2018 to '22.On Blue's 1980 trailmapThe Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

Charlotte Greenway bringing you the Nick Luck Daly from the yard of the Betfred 2000 Guineas favourite, Bow Echo, as we hear from his trainer George Boughey, five days out from the first classic of the British flat season. David Yates joins Charlotte throughout and gives his views on both the colts and fillies classics this weekend before reflecting on the action we've seen over the last few days. Starting at Sandown and the performances of Raaheeb and Opera Ballo before moving to the jumps action, comments on the ground and Dan Skelton breaking the £5 million prize money barrier. Looking further afield we hear from Nick in Hong Kong as he joined by trainer of Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes, after his runaway success in the Chairman Sprint and James McDonald Jockey of Romantic Warrior basking in the glory. David Johnson of Timeform shares their figures and Barry Connell looks ahead to his three runners at Punchestown this week in the Grade 1s.

Jonathan Harding is joined by Chris Cook and Peter Scargill to discuss the week's biggest stories, including the debate about whether the results of barrier trials should be made available to punters.The team also chew over the key angles from Sandown's jump season finale, provide the latest news on affordability checks and praise the high-profile combination of some sporting superpowers.

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 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 and Lydia look back on Saturday's Randox Grand National, in which I Am Maximus regained his crown, making it a third successive win in the race for his trainer Willie Mullins. We also reflect on the Festival as a whole, Dan Skelton's first Trainers' Championship, the Gold Dancer incident, Betting, TV viewing figures, the atmosphere and racegoers experience, plus an update from Sara Bradstock on Mr Vango

Nick and Lydia look back on Saturday's Randox Grand National, in which I Am Maximus regained his crown, making it a third successive win in the race for his trainer Willie Mullins. We also reflect on the Festival as a whole, Dan Skelton's first Trainers' Championship, the Gold Dancer incident, Betting, TV viewing figures, the atmosphere and racegoers experience, plus an update from Sara Bradstock on Mr Vango

Join Maddy Playle, Peter Scargill and Lewis Porteous to discuss a varied week in the world of horseracing. The panel start by unpacking Dan Skelton's remarkable £4 million prize-money achievement and consider what will be next as the trainer hunts down his first championship title. A glowing report from Aidan O'Brien saw Albert Einstein shoot to 2,000 Guineas favouritism last week, but Peter believes the market has overreacted. The team also discuss O'Brien's powerful squad for the upcoming Flat season.The team unpack why declining foal crops, affordability checks and tax rises are points of concern for British racing, with Tattersalls airing their worries in Companies House documents last week.Finally, anticipation is rising ahead of Constitution Hill's second Flat start at Kempton on Wednesday. Lewis disagrees with Matt Chapman's belief that Ryan Moore is a bad jockey booking and the trio discuss what the future will hold for the public's favourite horse.

On the Monday post the Cheltenham Festival Nick is joined by Lee Mottershead to reflect on the four days but first up they address the news that The Jockey Club have entered a 20 year deal with catering partner Compass Group's Levy, resulting in a £100 million payment. Nick and Lee look at where this money might be put to good use including at Aintree and also looking at the significance of Sandown not seemingly receiving any of this investment. Back to Cheltenham, Dan Skelton reflects on his week with two winners and some nice prospects for the future whilst outlining likely plans for stable stars The New Lion, Mydaddypaddy, Grey Dawning etc. before Josh Stacey has the reaction from the winners enclosure after Gaelic Warrior's demolition job in Friday's Gold Cup. Jane Mangan is at Ballydoyle for their press morning and has the latest from there in an interview with Aidan O'Brien and finally, Sebastian Hutch of Inglis looks ahead to their Easter Sale coming up later this month.

On the Monday post the Cheltenham Festival Nick is joined by Lee Mottershead to reflect on the four days but first up they address the news that The Jockey Club have entered a 20 year deal with catering partner Compass Group's Levy, resulting in a £100 million payment. Nick and Lee look at where this money might be put to good use including at Aintree and also looking at the significance of Sandown not seemingly receiving any of this investment. Back to Cheltenham, Dan Skelton reflects on his week with two winners and some nice prospects for the future whilst outlining likely plans for stable stars The New Lion, Mydaddypaddy, Grey Dawning etc. before Josh Stacey has the reaction from the winners enclosure after Gaelic Warrior's demolition job in Friday's Gold Cup. Jane Mangan is at Ballydoyle for their press morning and has the latest from there in an interview with Aidan O'Brien and finally, Sebastian Hutch of Inglis looks ahead to their Easter Sale coming up later this month.

We are one week out from the greatest show on turf - and The Front Page has all the Cheltenham news plus much more besides.Lee Mottershead, Peter Scargill and Liam Headd discuss the latest festival talking points, including a fascinating market move for the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Inothwayurthinkin, brilliant 12 months ago but woeful so far this season.Dan Skelton approaches the festival in sizzling form, having won two of Saturday's big races at Kelso and Newbury. The team reflects on those performances and another major success for the wonderful Rebel's Romance, who dazzled once again at Meydan, which on Saturday staged racing while Iranian missiles flew overhead.This week's show also examines British racing's governance crisis and looks at Amo Racing's latest financial development.

Josh in for Nick on Monday. We hear from Dan Skelton on the exciting Kabral Du Mathan and get his thoughts on Nicky Henderson's bold call to run Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle. From Hong Kong, Zac Purton reflects on Ka Ying Rising's remarkable 18th consecutive victory at Sha Tin Racecourse. There's also insight from Neil King on Lookaway, and Lucy Wadham discusses what's next for Jax Junior. Plus, further reaction from Simone Meloni at the Godolphin Industry Thoroughbred Awards.

Josh in for Nick on Monday. We hear from Dan Skelton on the exciting Kabral Du Mathan and get his thoughts on Nicky Henderson's bold call to run Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle. From Hong Kong, Zac Purton reflects on Ka Ying Rising's remarkable 18th consecutive victory at Sha Tin Racecourse. There's also insight from Neil King on Lookaway, and Lucy Wadham discusses what's next for Jax Junior. Plus, further reaction from Simone Meloni at the Godolphin Industry Thoroughbred Awards.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world. After a tense day at Cheltenham on Saturday, they assess the events leading up to the controversial running of the final race after a hole was found in the track, and consider what is likely to happen now. Also on today's show, further reflections on that story and his many Trials Day runners from Dan Skelton. Around the globe, the show takes in Pegasus winner Skippylongstocking's win with TPD's Adam Mills, while Michael Guerin put the much lauded victory of New Zealand Star Well Written into context, and trainer Danny Shum revels in another record for the heroic Romantic Warrior.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world. After a tense day at Cheltenham on Saturday, they assess the events leading up to the controversial running of the final race after a hole was found in the track, and consider what is likely to happen now. Also on today's show, further reflections on that story and his many Trials Day runners from Dan Skelton. Around the globe, the show takes in Pegasus winner Skippylongstocking's win with TPD's Adam Mills, while Michael Guerin put the much lauded victory of New Zealand Star Well Written into context, and trainer Danny Shum revels in another record for the heroic Romantic Warrior.

It was a weekend packed with blockbuster jumps racing action at Punchestown, Ascot and Haydock, and Emmet Kennedy is joined by Grade 1–winning jockeys Lizzie Kelly and Daryl Jacob to break down every major talking point — the spectacular, the eyebrow-raising, and the genuinely confusing. We begin at Punchestown with the epic duel between Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, where Paul Townend delivered Willie Mullins his ninth win in 12 runnings of the race. We look at how the race was run, the moves that made the difference, what to make of Fastorslow, and how the returning Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin shaped up.Most importantly: Where do Mullins' stars go next? At Ascot, Arkle winner Jango Baie powered home in the 1965 Chase — but is he now a serious King Georgecontender? Speaking of Kempton: The Jukebox Man remains unbeaten over fences after a fluent prep run in the same race Bravemansgame used before winning the King George. Who does the panel want to be with for Boxing Day/St Stephen's Day? Over at Haydock, Grey Dawning continued the red-hot start to the season for Dan Skelton with a bloodless win in the Betfair Chase. The question now: is he a genuine Gold Cup player? The Morgiana Hurdle saw Lossiemouth coast home, but did we actually learn anything? The panel debate her Champion Hurdle prospects, while Wodhooh, the mare she beat in the Aintree Hurdle, made a stylish return in a Grade 2 at Ascot. We assess her ceiling for the season. Plus:• Lizzie Kelly reveals the tracks she absolutely hated riding — with one described as “absolutely awful”• Daryl Jacob defends one of those tracks as one of his favourites (!) And of course: Horses To Follow from the weekend, selected with proper insight and real-world experience. Presented by 1xBet.ie – more than 7000 events per day, fast withdrawals, and new customer specials. The link to 1xBet.ie is here: ⁠https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH⁠ 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. 1xBet knows the craic. Bet with your head, not above it. ⚡ Proven Form: Winners tipped recently at 20/1, 16/1, 14/1, 12/1, and 10/1.

Ahead of this weekend's action, Charlotte Greenway recaps on the interviews from the last five days with connections with runners this weekend. Starting at Haydock, ahead of the Betfair Chase we hear from Dan Skelton on Grey Dawning and Joe Chambers on Royale Pagaille, going for his third win in the race. Joe also has news of Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior ahead of their assignments on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's John Durkan could be the race of the season, in terms of quality horses in one field, and Gavin Cromwell provides an update on Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin while Martin Brassil looks forward to Fastorslow returning after a year off the track. There's also Ascot this weekend and Harry Fry runs through his three runners and Sam Twiston Davies looks at his biggest chances in the saddle.

Josh is joined by RTV's Dan Overall to preview a weekend packed with Grade 1 action. He also chats with Dan Skelton, who sends Betfair Chase favourite Grey Dawning to Haydock Park along with several other strong Saturday runners. Josh then checks in with Gordon Elliott ahead of Wodhooh and Stellar Story's raid on British graded races. Also on today's podcast: Nick Scholfield opens up about the relief of training his first winner, Charlotte catches up with Jason Singh, and Nick speaks to Bernie Sams, the newly appointed Lane's End Director of Stallion Operations.

The Final Furlong Podcast breaks down a blockbuster weekend across Cheltenham, Navan and Exeter with Emmet Kennedy, French racing analyst Adam Mills and Be Lucky Podcast host Daryl Carter. This episode is packed with Festival clues, powerful takes and serious betting insights. Presented by 1xBet.ie – more than 7000 events per day, fast withdrawals, and new customer specials. The link to 1xBet.ie is here: https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game, your odds, your 1xBet. Final Demand made a winning chase debut and is now a short-price favourite with 1xBet Ireland for the Brown Advisory. The lads analyse the performance to decide whether the hype is justified or overstated. Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba also made perfect starts over fences for Willie Mullins. Daryl has backed one of them for the Arkle and Adam explains the key data that separates the potential stars from the pretenders. We revisit the Arkle Trial, where Put The Kettle On launched an unforgettable career for Henry de Bromhead. This year's winner July Flower is now unbeaten in two chase starts, but does she have the speed, class and technique to follow that path? Sean Bowen delivered a superb ride on Wade Out and the National Hunt Chase talk has begun, but not everyone is convinced. The team explain what the market is missing. Paul Nicholls compared No Drama This End to Denman after his hurdles debut but Adam and Daryl break down the form and numbers to test that claim from every angle. Mydaddypaddy made an impressive hurdles debut for Dan Skelton but does that make him a legitimate Supreme contender? The panel have questions. L'Eau du Sud cruised home in the Shloer Chase. Is he now a threat to the leading two-mile chasers and where does that leave Jonbon? COMPETITION We have partnered with Punchestown Racecourse ahead of Premiere Weekend featuring a Grade 1 double header: the Morgiana Hurdle on Saturday and the John Durkan Memorial Chase on Sunday. Last year's Durkan was race of the season and this renewal could be even stronger with Fact To File seeking back to back wins. We are giving away the final two pairs of weekend tickets. To enter, answer the question asked in this episode and make sure you are subscribed on YouTube. Winner announced on Thursday's show.

Nick is joined by Mirror Newsboy David Yates to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Dan Skelton joins the show to reflect on his excellent weekend, too look ahead to his fancies for the Paddy Power fixture, and for comment on the news of the moment surrounding pitiful fields for novice chases. Also today, Nick and Dave round up the action from the last few days, Ann Duffield tells us why she's handing over the reins and also details the impact of John Dance on her business. Plus, with Nick now in Bahrain, Racing Director Ed Veale joins the show to preview this Friday's big race, while Charlotte catches up with owner Phil Cunningham on his squad for Dubai.

Emmet Kennedy is joined by French racing expert Adam Mills to reveal the most exciting group of National Hunt imports we have seen in years. These are the horses coming directly from Auteuil, Compiegne and Pau into the top yards in Ireland and the UK, and they could shape the Triumph Hurdle, the Ballymore, the Albert Bartlett and the key novice chase divisions for seasons to come. Adam has identified 15 horses with real potential. Eight now trained by Willie Mullins, who has produced four of the last five Triumph Hurdle winners, and seven more spread across Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton, David Pipe, Gavin Cromwell, Gordon Elliott, Henry De Bromhead and Ben Pauling. We discuss:• The juvenile who already looks like a Triumph Hurdle prospect• The strong stayer type who could become an Albert Bartlett horse• The Prix Royal Monarch winner, from a race that has produced State Man, Gaelic Warrior, Sir Gino and Salvator Mundi• The new Galiway recruit to join Vauban, Gala Marceau and Jimmy Du Seuil• The dark horse who could progress rapidly from hurdling to chasing Is there another Majborough, Vauban or Sir Gino in this group? We break it down with pedigree insight, French race film notes, pace profiles and likely trainer intent. Horses discussedKai Lung, Larinka, Narciso Has, Madness D'Elle, Manita, Macho Man, Mister Yves, Proactif (Willie Mullins)Manlaga (Henderson), Parchment (Pipe), Mojito Des Mottes (Ben Pauling), Maestro Conti (Skelton), Ole Ole (Cromwell), Matin Midi Et Soir (De Bromhead), Mange Tout (Elliott) Presented by 1xBet.ie – more than 7000 events per day, fast withdrawals, and new customer specials. The link to 1xBet.ie is here: ⁠https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH⁠ 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. 1xBet knows the craic. Bet with your head, not above it.

Nick is joined by Mirror Newsboy David Yates to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Dan Skelton joins the show to reflect on his excellent weekend, too look ahead to his fancies for the Paddy Power fixture, and for comment on the news of the moment surrounding pitiful fields for novice chases. Also today, Nick and Dave round up the action from the last few days, Ann Duffield tells us why she's handing over the reins and also details the impact of John Dance on her business. Plus, with Nick now in Bahrain, Racing Director Ed Veale joins the show to preview this Friday's big race, while Charlotte catches up with owner Phil Cunningham on his squad for Dubai.

Join Maddy Playle, James Stevens and Liam Headd to discuss an eventful week in racing. They review the return of Haiti Couleurs and discuss all of the fallout from West Country weekend, including the remarkable Haldon Gold Cup win of Thistle Ask. His trainer Dan Skelton continues to march towards his first trainers' championship, as his old mentor Paul Nicholls experiences mixed fortunes.  The team also look back on the Melbourne Cup win of Half Yours and why the mercurial Racing Blogger has been such a success Down Under. They sign off with tips for Cheltenham's November meeting, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle coming up this weekend. 

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They are joined by Francis Graffard, assembling an enviable squad for Royal Ascot. Also on today's show, Jane Chapple Hyam announces the supplementary of Kon Tiki for the Coronation Stakes, while we hear from John Gosden and Colin Keane on Lead Artist, Will Bourne on Carl Spackler, plus Roger Teal on Dancing Gemini. Nick is at the GOFFS Arkle sale, where he gets fascinating insight from Dan Skelton, as well as contributions from agent Ed Bailey and trainer AJ O'Neill. JA McGrath has big news from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They are joined by Francis Graffard, assembling an enviable squad for Royal Ascot. Also on today's show, Jane Chapple Hyam announces the supplementary of Kon Tiki for the Coronation Stakes, while we hear from John Gosden and Colin Keane on Lead Artist, Will Bourne on Carl Spackler, plus Roger Teal on Dancing Gemini. Nick is at the GOFFS Arkle sale, where he gets fascinating insight from Dan Skelton, as well as contributions from agent Ed Bailey and trainer AJ O'Neill. JA McGrath has big news from Hong Kong.

This week on the Front Page from the Racing Post:  Willie Mullins storms to a second consecutive British trainers' title after an incredible spring campaign. We discuss how he did it - and how Dan Skelton can topple him. Sean Bowen finally secures the champion jockey crown - hear why legends of the saddle think he could dominate for years to come. Plus, a huge week ahead with Constitution Hill's comeback at Punchestown, the Guineas at Newmarket, Netflix's new racing docuseries and a big bookmaker controversy that rocked social media.

The National Hunt season ends in style — and we're all over it. Emmet Kennedy is joined by Adam Mills and George Gorman to preview a blockbuster final day at Sandown, where Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton go head-to-head for the British Trainers' Championship in a finale packed with drama, storylines… and betting angles. We've got a 10/1 NAP in the opener, a select hurdle standout at 13/2, and a 6/1 play in the Celebration Chase that Adam and Emmet are bullish on — but it's a 20/1 shot that George and Adam love (and Emmet just can't believe they fancy). And in the big one — the Bet365 Gold Cup — all three lock horns for a proper tricast shootout, including bold each-way darts at 20/1 and 33/1. Expect sharp takes, passionate debate, and big-priced plays to end the jumps season with a bang.

Josh Stacey in for Nick today and joined by the Racing Post's Jonathan Harding. They begin by reflecting on Haiti Couleurs's impressive success in yesterday's Irish Grand National for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis. Ridden by Champion Jockey elect, Sean Bowen, he shares what yesterday's win meant and also winning the championship this season. Sean's father Peter, joins Josh to look at where his son's drive and talent comes from and what his success means to the whole family. Dan Skelton, who holds a nearly 60k lead in the trainers' championship, discusses his huge team of runners this week as he looks to get the better of Willie Mullins this time around. Kieran Clark has the weekly Timeform update before Jacob Webb has the latest on french jockey, Nicolas Gauffenic, who suffered a nasty fall over the weekend.

Josh Stacey in for Nick today and joined by the Racing Post's Jonathan Harding. They begin by reflecting on Haiti Couleurs's impressive success in yesterday's Irish Grand National for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis. Ridden by Champion Jockey elect, Sean Bowen, he shares what yesterday's win meant and also winning the championship this season. Sean's father Peter, joins Josh to look at where his son's drive and talent comes from and what his success means to the whole family. Dan Skelton, who holds a nearly 60k lead in the trainers' championship, discusses his huge team of runners this week as he looks to get the better of Willie Mullins this time around. Kieran Clark has the weekly Timeform update before Jacob Webb has the latest on french jockey, Nicolas Gauffenic, who suffered a nasty fall over the weekend.

The absorbing trainers' championship duel between Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton comes under the microscope in an edition of The Front Page that covers even more ground than usual. As well as debating who will lift the trophy at Sandown on Saturday, Lee Mottershead, Peter Scargill and James Stevens look back on a Craven meeting that was particularly important to Kieran Shoemark. Part one of the programme then examines another extraordinary week of sales action that peaked with Amo Racing paying 1,750,000gns for an unraced horse who was sold in December 2023 for 55,000gns. In the second half of the show the panel look at the controversy surrounding an experienced clerk of the course revealing he amends official ground data. That angered trainers, as did the prize-money offered at Southwell on Sunday. The team reflects on the protest action that produced and then look forward to a brand new horseracing docuseries set to launch on Netflix this week.

How can it be that in 2025 female jockeys still have to enter male changing rooms to properly do their job?  That is one of the big questions asked in this week's edition of The Front Page, which looks at some of the powerful revelations that emerged in the Racing Post's special report on the appalling standard of some British weighing rooms. Lee Mottershead, Chris Cook and Liam Headd ask why the majority of tracks have not moved faster to improve facilities for riders and why the BHA has seemingly regulated racecourses so meekly. The show kicks off by reflecting on a weekend of quality jumps action at Ayr, where Captain Cody's victory in the Scottish Grand National left Willie Mullins ever closer to denying Dan Skelton a first trainers' championship. We also look back on a day of spring trials at Newbury and ask if any future Classic winners were in action. The programme ends by looking at the 2024-25 Racing Post Jumps Horse of the Year poll. Lee, Chris and Liam reveal where their vote would go but this is a public vote and it's Racing Post readers who will have the final say. 

An incredible Grand National festival, a new high for Willie Mullins and the trainers' title race explodes back into life. On this week's Front Page, we digest Willie and Patrick Mullins' emotional triumph, ask whether Dan Skelton can hang onto his title lead and debate what Mullins' dominance means for the future of the National. Plus: Constitution Hill's latest fall, Paul Nicholls' Grade 1 double, Frankie Dettori's Dubai World Cup comeback and we pay tribute to Hayley Turner as she hangs up her saddle.

Charlotte Greenway who's in for Nick today is joined by RTV's Jane Mangan and there's plenty of Cheltenham Festival chat coming your way. First up we hear from Dan Skelton on his Cheltenham team that includes Langer Dan, Protektorat & The New Lion, before Nick catches up with Derek O'Connor on his Festival rides as well as the favourite in today's Nick Luck Daily Podcast Pointing Pointers Hunter Chase at Catterick. We also hear from Terence O'Brien on Jane's fancy in the new novice's handicap chase on the Thursday. Jane shares some insight she's picked up along the road during Cheltenham Festival preview season and discusses the potential significance of Coolmore's Walk In The Park winner in France yesterday. Finally, we have news from Bahrain and Hong Kong with Ed Veale and JA McGrath.

Charlotte Greenway who's in for Nick today is joined by RTV's Jane Mangan and there's plenty of Cheltenham Festival chat coming your way. First up we hear from Dan Skelton on his Cheltenham team that includes Langer Dan, Protektorat & The New Lion, before Nick catches up with Derek O'Connor on his Festival rides as well as the favourite in today's Nick Luck Daily Podcast Pointing Pointers Hunter Chase at Catterick. We also hear from Terence O'Brien on Jane's fancy in the new novice's handicap chase on the Thursday. Jane shares some insight she's picked up along the road during Cheltenham Festival preview season and discusses the potential significance of Coolmore's Walk In The Park winner in France yesterday. Finally, we have news from Bahrain and Hong Kong with Ed Veale and JA McGrath.

The planned abolition of greyhound racing in Wales is among the topics discussed in the latest edition of The Front Page. Lee Mottershead, Jonathan Harding and Matthew Rennie debate the Welsh government's announcement and ask whether British horse racing should be offering more vocal support to the increasingly endangered greyhound racing industry. This week's edition also looks back on a weekend of major races in Britain, Ireland and Saudi Arabia before the team debates more of last week's big stories and asks if Dan Skelton is right when he says the Grand National needs to be moved.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. On today's show - with Pic d'Orhy aiming to give him a first Grade One in a year - Paul Nicholls has fire in his belly as he assesses the strength of his team, new arrangements for sourcing his horses, and his competitive spirit being fuelled by "mini-me" Dan Skelton. Compelling stuff. Equally compelling is the interview with James McDonald about Romantic Warrior's bid to win the Saudi Cup. Plus, Godolphin's Alex Merriam on Rebel's Romance and the Amir Sword, QREC handicapper Neil Jennings on this weekend's action, and Guillermo Arrizkoreta - Spain's leading trainer - on conquering Dubai.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. On today's show - with Pic d'Orhy aiming to give him a first Grade One in a year - Paul Nicholls has fire in his belly as he assesses the strength of his team, new arrangements for sourcing his horses, and his competitive spirit being fuelled by "mini-me" Dan Skelton. Compelling stuff. Equally compelling is the interview with James McDonald about Romantic Warrior's bid to win the Saudi Cup. Plus, Godolphin's Alex Merriam on Rebel's Romance and the Amir Sword, QREC handicapper Neil Jennings on this weekend's action, and Guillermo Arrizkoreta - Spain's leading trainer - on conquering Dubai.

Back after our mid-season break, Nick was joined in the studio by Dan Skelton, George Boughey & Dave Yates. He had a great chat with Dan on the season so far. Plus news from George on his new yard & forthcoming flat season. Jockey Lilly Pinchin also joined Nick in the studio, for a facinating chat about her new documentary, on her ADHA condition and the impact riding has had on her.

Nick was joined in the studio by Dan Skelton & Dave Yates to discuss this week's talking points.. Handicap Rule Change / Amy Murphy / Il Est Francais / PRA Temp Withdrawal / Ambiente Friendly / Harding Says / Champ Hurdle for Brighter?

This week's Saturday Edition kicks off with a post race interview with Harry Fry, following Gidleigh Park's success in the Grade 2 Lightening Novices' Chase at Windsor this afternoon with Nick, whilst Harry also looks ahead to Boothill in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot tomorrow. It'll be a tough ask for Boothill taking on Jonbon and Energumene and Sean Graham shares why they're coming back to run in the Clarence House with Energumene having been beaten in it both times previously. Then, onto Sunday back at Windsor, we hear from connections of runners in the Fleur de Lys Chase including Dan Skelton on favourite Protektorat; Lucinda Russell on Ahoy Senor and finally AJ O'Neill looks ahead to Indiana Dream's first run for the yard.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world. On today's show, Emmet Mullins has news of Corbetts Cross (Gold Cup), Noble Yeats (edging towards retirement) and Jeroboam Machin (sidelined). Plus, Dan Skelton explains why L'Eau du Sud is not running at Windsor this weekend, while Naohiro Goda fills us in on intriguing Japanese Champion Hurdle entry All the World. Jockey Club Head of Racing Jon Pullin tells us why reserves are back in the Grand National, 1/ST Racing's Aidan Butler talks about the wildfire relief efforts at Santa Anita Park, plus JA McGrath has the latest from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead for the final podcast of 2024. With a testing forecast for Cheltenham's New Year's Day fixture, Nick talks to Clerk Jon Pullin about the meeting's prospects, while trainer Gary Moore issues a confident bulletin on Salver, one of the likely stars on show in the Relkeel Hurdle. Also in this episode, Dan Barber gives the Timeform bulletin on the key starring performances over the weekend, and has a nice nugget on Dan Skelton's ability to run up winning sequences at far flung venues. Plus, ITM's Alex Cairns is along to talk about the Stallion Trail (Jan 10 & 11), in association with Weatherbys.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world. While reviewing the weekend's jumps action, they are joined by Richie Deegan - luckless to depart from Banbridge at the final fence at Cork - and Dan Skelton, again the beneficiary of a fine weekend, but whose Protektorat will now not head to the King George. Also on today's show, all the wrap from Hong Kong, including a chat with Vase winning rider Oisin Murphy, and reflections on the astonishing turnover figures. Plus, Lydia has a firm take on the need for padded hurdles at all racecourses following research published last week that is outlined by BHA Director of Equine Health and Welfare James Given, while Tabitha Worsley joins the show to discuss just how slow and unacceptable the progress has been in modernising jockeys' changing facilities.

Nick is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world. While reviewing the weekend's jumps action, they are joined by Richie Deegan - luckless to depart from Banbridge at the final fence at Cork - and Dan Skelton, again the beneficiary of a fine weekend, but whose Protektorat will now not head to the King George. Also on today's show, all the wrap from Hong Kong, including a chat with Vase winning rider Oisin Murphy, and reflections on the astonishing turnover figures. Plus, Lydia has a firm take on the need for padded hurdles at all racecourses following research published last week that is outlined by BHA Director of Equine Health and Welfare James Given, while Tabitha Worsley joins the show to discuss just how slow and unacceptable the progress has been in modernising jockeys' changing facilities.

Emmet Kennedy is joined by Sky Sports Racing's Josh Apiafi to review a weekend packed with clues for the Christmas racing season and the Cheltenham Festival. They start with Jonbon, the highest-rated two-mile chaser in training, who secured back-to-back victories in the Shloer Chase. Is Found A Fifty a credible challenger to Jonbon at the Festival? They also discuss the wildly impressive winners East India Dock, L'Eau du Sud, Down Memory Lane, and The Yellow Clay, highlighting why one of them is an exciting ante-post bet for Cheltenham. Plus, they believe they've uncovered Dan Skelton's next Cheltenham handicap plot—and he's available at 16/1! The Final Furlong Podcast is proudly brought to you by Geoff Banks Bet. Join the excitement and Sign up to Geoff Banks Online now with promo code FFP500 and get 10% of any net losses returned as cash after your first month of betting, up to £500 at geoffbanks.bet.  Its tradition redefined with modern tech and unbeatable odds. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Our listeners get 10% off their first month, so give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/FURLONG. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/geoff-banks-online/id881898186 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.geoff_banks.geoffbanks Form Tools: Proform is the essential tool for punters looking to make money from betting on Horse Racing. Our form book covers Jumps and Flat racing in the UK and Ireland. https://www.proformracing.com/ Twitter: @FinalFurlongPod Email: radioemmet@gmail.com In association with Adelicious Podcast Network. Hosted on Megaphone.  Follow us for free on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/3e6NnBkr7MBstVx5U7lpld Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror journalist David Yates (Newsboy) to discuss the latest from around the racing world. With a grim day at Cheltenham leading to three fatalities in short order, two from sudden death, this episodes explores what befell the horses involved and the industry and wider media reaction. A scientific context is provided by Equine Cardiovascular clinical leader Dr Celia Marr.Also on today's show, trainer Dan Skelton with the latest on his Betfair Chase favourite Grey Dawning plus fallout from his weekend runners, while Ged Mason reflects on a remarkable ownership 4-timer spanning Bahrain and Cheltenham.Jockey Zac Purton drops in to chronicle the latest step towards stardom from record-breaking HK Sprinter Ka Ying Rising, while Alex Elliott looks forward to the breeding stock season, and particularly to the sale of You Got To me in the Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world today. In light of the Racing Post report on some of the changes surrounding the Cheltenham Festival, Nick talks to leading GB jumps trainers Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton, and finds somewhat contrasting views on the alleged proposals. Also on today's show, renowned Irish bookmaker Brian Keenan has his say on Irish Champions Festival, which he believes to have been a game of two halves. Dan Barber looks at two year olds in the Timeform Perspective, and also gives context to the quality of the existing Cheltenham novice chases, while our Weatherbys guest is Dr Roberto Righi Schwammer, selection vet for the SGA sale in Milan.