Shows
The Racing AlternativeDublin Racing Festival Review | Is this the end for Galopin? | Early Grand National Picks | Episode 15After a wet Dublin Racing Festival was completed a day later than scheduled, the lads review the best of the action and ponder the future of Galopin Des Champs following the Irish Gold Cup.
They also discuss their early picks for the Grand National and the Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets, with many bookies not offering Non-Runner, No bet.
Looking ahead to the weekend, they discuss the weights in the William Hill Hurdle - or the Schweppes as SD still calls it - as well as Nicky Henderson's decision to swerve the Denman Chase with Jango...
2026-02-0640 minThe Racing AlternativeFarce At Cheltenham | Top Three Jockeys Of All Time | Dublin Racing Festival Preview | Episode 14Should racing have been abandoned at Cheltenham? Paul and Stephen discuss the risk vs reward and whether there was more pressure to run the final race due to the Grade.
They also discuss the retirement of a legend: Carol Kirkwood. Oh, and Frankie Dettori, whilst previewing this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival and share their selections for Sandown.
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2026-01-3041 minThe Racing AlternativeOld Park Star | Cheltenham Ante-Post | Tides Turning For The British? | Episode 13Are the tides turning in favour of the British at Cheltenham? Paul and Stephen discuss the Ante-Post markets for The Festival and whether things have started to even themselves out.
They also answer a question from French racing expert Adam Mills, the food prices at Catterick and the 'bare' card at Cheltenham this weekend.
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Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the...
2026-01-2337 minThe Racing AlternativeConstitution Hill On The Flat | Friday Night Live | Increases In Prize Money | Episode 12Constitution Hill running on the flat? Paul and Stephen share their thoughts on the future of Nicky Henderson's stable star and discuss the Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets and whether horses from smaller yards are overpriced.
They also share their thoughts on the potential clash between Sir Gino, Poniros and The New Lion, preview the Peter Marsh and share their top selections for the weekend.
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2026-01-1641 minThe Racing AlternativeShould Racing have a winter break? | Weather & Wetherby | Is SD the new John McCririck? | Episode 11With several meetings falling the way of the weather this week, the guys discuss whether a winter break is a viable option for Racing . They also cast an early eye on the Cheltenham Festival and which novices have caught their eye so far this season.
After a shout from a YouTube viewer, is our very own Stephen Darbyshire the new John McCririck? Whilst another viewer has emailed in a plea to bring back cash on course.
The duo also discuss nine race cards and who they actually suit (if anyone), give Kudos to the grounds...
2026-01-0935 minThe Racing AlternativeKing George Review | Savills Chase Discussion | Fixture List Discussion | Wrong Ground at ChepstowPaul and Stephen are back for the final episode of The Racing Alternative in 2025.
In this episode, the pair discusses The Jukebox Man’s King George victory – is he a better horse on a flatter track? Could he win the Gold Cup?
They discuss the Savills Chase and whether it was a good Gold Cup trial, while it’s also time to get serious - the pair tackle the fixture list.
The pair also go head-to-head with the selections at the end of the show.
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2025-12-3136 minThe Racing AlternativeFestive Racing Preview | Late to Parade Ring | Good ground for the Welsh National?! | Episode 9With great racing action from Kempton, Leopardstown and elsewhere on Boxing Day, Paul and Stephen have put the mince pies down to bring you a festive racing preview on The Racing Alternative.
They also discuss Nico de Boinville's disappointing ride on Khrisma, horses being late to parade ring at Lingfield and some of the mad market moves for Fact to File to win this year's King George.
In a festive miracle, could we see good ground for the Welsh National? What will it be like at Kempton? Our duo discuss their picks for the best...
2025-12-2431 minThe Racing AlternativeShould Kempton Park be saved? | Flat Racing at Aintree? | Queues at Southwell | Weekend PreviewWith Kempton Park's future back in the headlines, Paul and Stephen discuss whether the track should be saved in the latest episode of The Racing Alternative.
Following SD's long queue for a coffee at Southwell, they also discuss the raceday experience and what more can be done for racegoers across the country. After the Jockey Club announced investment plans for its flagship tracks, the duo also debate the merits of bringing Flat racing to Aintree.
At the back end of the episode we preview the weekend's action at Ascot and Haydock, with their selections and...
2025-12-1936 minThe Racing AlternativeIs Il Etait Temps a Champion Chase winner? | Royal Ascot Prize Money | December Gold Cup PreviewAfter winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown last weekend, Stephen and Paul discuss whether Il Etait Temps could be a Champion Chase winner next year, as well as disagree over the state of prize money at Royal Ascot in the latest episode of The Racing Alternative.
After some great shouts last week, they also give their selections for the weekend ahead at the back end of the show, discuss Dan Skelton's recent fine for Be Aware being late into the parade ring and take a question from a listener.
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2025-12-1233 minThe Racing AlternativeWhat next for Constitution Hill? | Panic Attack for the Grand National? | Weekend Racing PreviewConstitution Hill's latest fall has the racing world talking, so Paul Jacobs and Stephen Darbyshire open our latest episode by throwing their thoughts into the debate.
After an impressive win at Newbury, they also discuss whether Panic Attack is a Grand National Horse and debate whether the starting procedures need looking at following more troubles this weekend.
They also look ahead to a huge weekend of National Hunt racing, with the Tingle Creek, the Beecher Chase, the Borders National and the Welsh Grand National trials all to look forward to.
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2025-12-0531 minThe Racing AlternativeThe Budget's Impact on Racing | Hennessy Gold Cup Preview | Weekend Review | Episode FiveRachael Reeves delivered her budget on Wednesday, but did Racing really get off as lightly as some are making out? Stephen Darbyshire and Paul Jacobs give their thoughts on how the new measures will impact the sport in our latest episode.
They also review last week's action including the John Durkan, the Betfair Chase and the Ascot Chase, as well as look ahead to this weekend's Hennessy/Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and give their selections for the rest of this weekend's action.
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2025-11-2835 minThe Racing AlternativeOnes to watch from Cheltenham | The Racing League | A Fiasco at Plumpton | Episode FourThe Cheltenham November meeting saw plenty of horses to watch for Stephen and Paul as they review the action and discuss the future of the Racing League as well as the fiasco at Plumpton earlier in the week.
The duo return for episode four of The Racing Alternative, with plenty else to discuss this week. We take more questions from listeners - would Darbyshire ever charge for his tips? Listener to find out!
They also give all their selections for the weekend, including Saturday's Betfair Chase at Haydock.
It's Safer Gambling week so p...
2025-11-2133 minThe Racing AlternativeCheltenham Preview | Supreme Novice Hurdle Favourite | Award Nomination | Episode ThreePaul Jacobs and Stephen Darbyshire return to give their takes on the week’s racing news.
They start with an award nomination for a certain podcast host, before looking ahead to action from the November meeting at Cheltenham this weekend.
Following an easy victory at Carlisle, the duo discuss whether Mydaddypaddy being 7/1 for the Supreme is an overreaction and whether Haiti Couleurs is a Gold Cup horse.
Later in the show we take a question from a viewer on a potential cap on racecourse admissions and introduce a new section, “Dabble with Darbyshire”, where...
2025-11-1435 minThe Racing AlternativeColin Parker and Breeders' Cup Review | An early start at Kelso | Weekend Tips | Episode TwoPaul Jacobs and Stephen Darbyshire have somehow made it back for episode two of The Racing Alternative!
They begin this week with a small disagreement about the latest renewal of the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase, as well as review the Stateside action from The Breeders' Cup.
Stephen is unhappy about the early start time at Kelso this week and even more unhappy to have jinxed his ever reliable Audi during last week's episode.
After an 18/1 winner last week, the duo are back with five selections across the weekend's action - hoping to avo...
2025-11-0733 minThe Racing AlternativeFrankie Retires (again), The AK Bets Debacle, Improving the card at Wetherby and Guest Stephen GoodmanPaul Jacobs and Stephen Darbyshire begin our debut episode by paying tribute to Tommie Jakes, following the news of his tragic death aged just 19.
They also discuss AK Bets recent Stale Prices fiasco and what it means for the future of the industry, Frankie Dettori’s latest retirement announcement as well as this weekend’s meeting at Wetherby, and what improvements could be made to boost entries.
Stephen Goodman from The Good stock Syndicate also joins them to discuss his hopes for Dysart Enos, who is now a non-runner at Wetherby on Saturday (typical!).
I...
2025-10-3138 minThe Racing AlternativeIntroducing The Racing Alternative!Our hosts Stephen Darbyshire and Paul Jacobs are here to introduce the UK's newest horse racing podcast, The Racing Alternative.
Brought to you by NRG Bet, The Racing Alternative will be providing raw, honest and unfiltered takes from the world of horse racing, with new episodes dropping every Friday.
Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss an episode and send your thoughts and questions to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to be featured in a future episode!
2025-10-2804 min