The Racing Alternative

theracingalternative

The UK's newest Horse Racing podcast is here!  Every week Stephen Darbyshire and Paul Jacobs will be bringing you raw, honest, unfiltered takes from the world of racing, as well as their tips from races across the country.  Brought to you by NRG Bet, The Racing Alternative will release new episodes every Friday, making sure you're up to date on all the big talking points from the country's biggest spectator sport. Have a question for the guys? Send them into theracingalternative@gmail.com and you could feature in our next episode. 

  1. 6D AGO

    Constitution Hill (finally) runs on the flat | Grand National Weights | Cheltenham Festival Chat | EP 17

    It's the racing return everyone has been waiting for! Yes Paul Jacobs is back in the hotseat. Oh, and Constitution Hill makes his much anticipated flat debut at Southwell on Friday. Elsewhere the Grand National weights are out, so our duo take the opportunity to pick a few outsiders from the pack. They also cast an eye to the upcoming Cheltenham Festival - could The Ryanair become wide open? Some of viewers want to know what Stephen and Paul make of a potential sale of Nottingham, and whether the two of them bet on any sports outside of racing, while SD's weekly rant is aimed at next sunday's cards at Ffos Las and Huntingdon. Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a comment to let us know what you thought of the show. Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    53 min

  2. FEB 13

    Patrick Mullins: Genius or Cheating? | Cheltenham Clues | GB v Ireland | Johnny Ward Hosts | Episode 16

    With Paul on holiday this week, RTE's Johnny Ward joins Stephen as guest host this week, where they start by discussing Patrick Mullins taking to all-weather strip at Limerick this week. Was it genius or cheating? With an Irish and a Brit in the chair, they also take the opportunity to discuss Cheltenham Festival's not-so-hotly contested Prestbury Cup. Do the Brits really have a chance this year? The Racehorse Owners Association released their racecourse rankings this week - does York deserve it's top spot, what about Cartmel at the bottom? The duo give their takes. At the back end of the show they discuss next week's Eider Chase at Newcastle and give their tips and selections for this week's action. Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a comment to let us know what you thought of the show. Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    38 min

  3. FEB 6

    Dublin Racing Festival Review | Is this the end for Galopin? | Early Grand National Picks | Episode 15

    After 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 Baie.   Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a review to let us know what you thought of the show.   Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    40 min

  4. JAN 30

    Farce At Cheltenham | Top Three Jockeys Of All Time | Dublin Racing Festival Preview | Episode 14

    Should 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.    Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a comment to let us know what you thought of the show.    Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    41 min

  5. JAN 23

    Old Park Star | Cheltenham Ante-Post | Tides Turning For The British? | Episode 13

    Are 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. Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a comment to let us know what you thought of the show. Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    37 min

  6. JAN 16

    Constitution Hill On The Flat | Friday Night Live | Increases In Prize Money | Episode 12

    Constitution 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.   Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a comment to let us know what you thought of the show.   Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    42 min

  7. JAN 9

    Should Racing have a winter break? | Weather & Wetherby | Is SD the new John McCririck? | Episode 11

    With 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 team at Sandown and discuss some not so great rides in recent days, before giving us their tips and selections for a weekend of racing once again threatened by the weather. Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a review to let us know what you thought of the show. Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    36 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    King George Review | Savills Chase Discussion | Fixture List Discussion | Wrong Ground at Chepstow

    Paul 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. Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode and leave us a comment to let us know what you thought of the show. Have a question for our hosts? Send them to theracingalternative@gmail.com for the chance to feature in a future episode.

    36 min
See All (18)

About

The UK's newest Horse Racing podcast is here!  Every week Stephen Darbyshire and Paul Jacobs will be bringing you raw, honest, unfiltered takes from the world of racing, as well as their tips from races across the country.  Brought to you by NRG Bet, The Racing Alternative will release new episodes every Friday, making sure you're up to date on all the big talking points from the country's biggest spectator sport. Have a question for the guys? Send them into theracingalternative@gmail.com and you could feature in our next episode. 

Information

  • Creator
    theracingalternative
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Racing Alternative

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