Charlotte Greenway brings you a shortened version as the final episode before Christmas and is joined by Fergal O'Brien to reflect on Crambo's success as Ascot on Saturday in the Long Walk Hurdle. Then onto the action over the festive period where Joseph O'Brien explains the jockey booking of Paul Townend aboard Banbridge before we hear from James Owen on how and if Burdett Road can serve it up to Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth in the Christmas hurdle whilst Sam Thomas looks at the same race from the perspective of his runner Lump Sum as well as running through his Aintree and Welsh National runners.

This week's edition with Charlotte Greenway focusses on the action at Ascot tomorrow including comment from Olly Murphy & Gordon Elliot on the two leading chances in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle. Then, onto Kempton on Boxing Day and a recap of the interviews this week with plenty of connections with runners in the Ladbrokes King George as well as the Christmas hurdle inc. Nicky Henderson; Joe Chambers; Harry Skelton; Emmet Mullins; Joseph O'Brien & Andy Edwards.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop for the final full episode before Christmas... they are joined at some length by Ricci racing manager Joe Chambers, who gatecrashes this show with news of the owner's stars, including a report on Christmas hurdle entry Lossiemouth and some of the likely riding arrangements. Later in this episode, Felix de Giles tells us about Juntos Ganamos, the intriguing King George supplementary, while Olly Murphy has the lowdown on Long Walk favourite Strong Leader, Dave Ord has something for the weekend, Dan Cooper addresses weather worries at Haydock, plus Howden CEO and Founder David Howden discusses his backing of the new Thoroughbred Aftercare initiative.

Nick is joined by award winning Racing Post writer Jonathan Harding to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They are joined first today by Nicky Henderson, who issues his most positive bulletin yet on Constitution Hill ahead of his long awaited comeback next week at Kempton. Also on today's show, Harry Skelton talks Grey Dawning plus plans for Ascot this Saturday, while L'Homme Presse's owner Andy Edwards anticipates a bold show from his much beloved horse. Barney Clifford brings us the latest going report. Nick and Jonathan discuss the latest developments in the John Dance case, and ask whether the industry should have done more to assess his suitability as an owner, while they also run the rule over the latest likely whip DQ at Newbury.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick and joined by Lee Mottershead of the Racing Post. They looked ahead to the racing this weekend and over the Christmas period in the company of Emmet Mullins, who predicts Corbetts Cross will be slicker in the King George than we've seen so far and AJ O'Neill who nominates the likely Grade 1 targets for some of their most exciting novice hurdlers. Lee picks out the key points from the Levy's annual review and discusses the dramatic opener at Catterick yesterday. Then Thady Gosden comments of some of their recent first time out two year old winners that may even have Classic aspirations before finally we head to JA McGrath for our Hong Kong bulletin.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They are joined to day by disqualified trainer Ronan McNally, who is challenging the decision of the Irish regulator in the High Court. Also on today's show, trainer Barry Connell outlines plans for his stable stars and explains why he feels Marine Nationale is ready to bloom again. Plus, Adam Mills from TPD with a fascinating take on how jockeys adapted to the new jumps track at Windsor, Ben Atkins with an early pointing update, Timeform's Dan Barber on Venetia Williams, and top Danish breeder and racing administrator Iben Hjorth Buskop is our Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to look at the latest news and events from around the racing world. In today's episode, they are joined by Gordon Elliott, with news of his latest star bumper horse, plus The Wallpark's Ascot bid and the stars on show over Christmas. Joseph O'Brien has a positive bulletin on Banbridge for the King George, though reveals he could be on the lookout for a jockey, while Fergal O'Brien looks ahead to Dysart Enos in this Saturday's Ladbrokes Hurdle at Ascot. Trainer Matt Sheppard drops in to talk about his recently published memoir, Confessions of a Slow Two Miler.

The Saturday Edition - Ep. 148 by Nick Luck

This Friday, it's a joint production between Nick and Charlotte Greenway and they're joined by Jane Mangan to look ahead to this weekend's racing on both sides of the Irish Sea. Starting in Ireland, Tony Costello explains why Asian Master wasn't sold as a store and his journey from point to points to the fourth placed spot in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, ridden by his son Tom. Then onto Cheltenham over the next couple of days and Caroline Tisdale and Paul Nicholls discuss their runners before getting the thoughts of Sporting Life's Ben Linfoot on the December Gold Cup as part of this week's Timeform, Something for the Weekend.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Matt Chapman to discuss the latest news and goings on from around the racing world. Joining the show today, guests include trainer Harry Fry, whose In Excelsis Deo looks to have a big chance in Cheltenham's December Gold Cup. Harry also has news of Gidleigh Park, plus has some strong feelings about racing at Sandown going ahead last weekend in spite of the weather warnings. Also today, Kim Bailey ponders tomorrow's Plan B with Chianti Classico, while Ascot's marketing supremo Tom Johnson enjoys the racecourses latest offering being awarded 'ad of the day in Campaign magazine and discusses the success of "The Ascot You." Michael Guerin drops in to discuss the banning of Greyhound Racing in New Zealand, while Ben and Molly are along with our Pointing Pointers which includes news of two new sponsorships from the NLD Podcast.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest from around the racing world. First up today, jumps trainer Ben Pauling outlines plans for his star novice chasers Handstands and The Jukebox Man. Also on today's show, Nick and Rishi discuss the nuances of Conor Grant's Gimcrack speech and look ahead to this weekend's action at Cheltenham. Plus, Henrietta Knight tells Nick how much she enjoyed yesterday's comeback jumps winner at Footwell, while Stuart Williams pays tribute to the late Tony Hide. In anticipation of three great clashes between two of the world's best, Laurel River's handler Bhupat Seemar joins the show with an update, and JA McGrath walks the Hong Kong beat.