LEGENDARY BBC racing commentator Derek Thompson has been told by punters ‘he can’t continue’ after completley botching the call on this race.
Thommo was behind the mic for the all-weather action at Wolverhampton on Monday evening when he made the confusing blunder.
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He called 11-2 Initial Blue the leader turning for home in the Class 5 race over seven furlongs.
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But it turned he had got the horse mixed up with 12-1 Sea Baaeed, who was the actual leader.
Thompson, who has been a major figure on 5Live and Channel 4’s coverage over the years, called Initial Blue the leader and likely winner right down the straight – despite him lugging lengths behind – until he realised his mistake with a few yards to go.
He managed to correct himself and proclaim Sea Baaeed the winner just in time.
Initial Blue finished fourth, some five-and-a-half lengths behind the winner.
In fairness the silks were very similar, although you could argue Sea Baaeed was distinctive by the all-white cap jockey Rob Hornby was wearing.
Initial Blue’s rider Sean Levey had a big white hoop through the middle of his top and a blue star on his white cap.
The commentary mix-up made it very confusing for punters, especially those who thought they were onto a winner with Initial Blue.
Thompson is a huge figure in racing and responsible for one of the most replayed clips ever, which was likened to the ultimate Alan Partridge moment.
Believing his colleague was about to interview a woman, he said: “I see you’ve been joined by a beautiful young lady.”
Only for the recently-retired Bob Cooper to reply: “It’s a man actually, Derek.”
Sadly this latest blunder didn’t draw so many laughs.
One punter said: “He can’t continue. That’s shocking.”
Another posted online: “Imagine listening on the radio thinking you are on a winner.”
And a fellow punter wrote: “I thought my horse had won!”
Another comment read: “It’s now so bad it’s good.”
However, some backed Thompson no matter what, with one saying: “I think racing has a LOT more wrong with it than an icon giving us comedy value every year. Keep going, Thommo.”
And another posted: “He’s a living legend, no need, we all make mistakes.”
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