Latest news with #SkySportsRacing
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Horse racing tips: Friday July 25
Friday's UK and Irish racing Flat Ascot (1.50-4.45pm, Sky Sports Racing) Thirsk (2.15-5.10, Racing TV) Cork (5.05-8.30, Racing TV) Chepstow (5.15-8.45, Sky Sports Racing) York (5.30-8.23, Racing TV) Sandown (5.45-8.38, Racing TV) Jumps Uttoxeter (1.30-5.35, Sky Sports Racing) Kilbeggan (4.15-8.15, Racing TV) Ron Wood's selections NAP Pinhole (3.35, Ascot) 1pt win @ evens with William Hill ⭐⭐⭐ Other Odds provided by William Hill and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (maximum five). If you already have a William Hill account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use on this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts 3.35 Ascot – Class 2 Handicap (1m 4f; Sky Sports Racing) This is a good opportunity for the Ralph Beckett-trained PINHOLE, the sole three-year-old in this contest who is dropping down from Group-race company. His fourth-place finish in the Chester Vase worked out well, with the one-two then filling the same positions in the Derby, and the third nearly winning the German Derby. The fifth-placed runner was second in the Queen's Vase over 1m 6f at Royal Ascot. Pinhole managed only eighth in the Queen's Vase, but it's notable he went off as 4/1 joint-favourite. The drop back in trip is no bad thing and he should be too good for his five exposed rivals in this lesser contest today. Cheekpieces are added. 7.48 York – Lyric Fillies' Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f; Racing TV) Another Beckett-trained runner, REVOIR has good-looking claims, dropping in grade and trip after her sixth-placed finish in the Oaks over 1m 4f at Epsom. While that Group 1 test proved too much for her, the race has been working out and she had previously finished a good, close second in a 1m 2f Listed race at Newbury, with that form being boosted when the winner, who also struggled at Epsom, landed a Group 2 race in France. Sand Gazelle, just behind Revoir in the Newbury race, might be the main danger. When is the next big racing festival? The week-long Galway Festival kicks off in Ireland on Monday (July 28), followed a day later by Glorious Goodwood. Check out the latest Glorious Goodwood free bets and betting offers. The latter is a five-day fixture and is set to feature the Kingman colt Field Of Gold, possibly the best horse in the world, in the Sussex Stakes on July 30, one of three Group 1 contests at the meeting. Does William Buick have any rides today? Buick has four rides at Ascot on the eve of the King George meeting. Where is Ryan Moore riding on Friday? The Ballydoyle No 1 sits out the Friday action but is back for Ascot on Saturday when he's set to partner Jan Brueghel in the Group 1 King George. What does NAP mean? NAP is a word used in betting circles to describe a prediction that a tipster thinks has a particularly strong chance of winning. Many horse racing tipsters pick out a 'NAP of the day', which is their favoured selection from all the races across the different meetings. The term NAP derives from the French card game Napoleon. When players of this game thought they had a particularly strong hand that they would win with, they would shout 'Napoleon'. Ron Wood 2025 horse racing profit/loss Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence If you want to find more odds and offers, take a look at our list of the best betting sites and free bets Check out our list of the best casino bonuses in the UK
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Legendary TV commentator reunited with stars of viral video clip on retirement day
Derek 'Tommo' Thompson, 74, was given a special send-off as he delivered his final commentary at Wolverhampton on Tuesday after 60 years in broadcasting Legendary TV commentator Derek Thompson was reunited with the stars of a viral video clip as part of a special send-off on his final day behind the mic. The 74-year-old, who has worked on the racecourse for BBC radio, ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing, has been a stalwart of the industry for nearly 60-years. He has also been the star of the sport's most famous viral moment when he mistook a man for a woman while he was hosting the racing coverage on Sky. It's been watched more than 28 million times and even got an airing on the Graham Norton Show on BBC1. READ MORE: King and Queen 'working on' finding an elusive first Royal Epsom Derby winner In his handover from the studio to reporter Robert Cooper at Hereford, Thompson, said: 'I see you've been joined by a beautiful lady', to which Cooper replied, 'It's a man actually, Derek'. So during Thompson's final commentary stint at Wolverhampton he relived that moment from 18 years ago with the now retired Cooper and Matthew Jones, the then Hereford clerk of the course who was the victim of the error, for Sky Sports Racing Discussing the reaction to the clip, Jones said: 'At the time nothing happened at all. It was a few years later when it all blew up.' Cooper said: 'I was just standing there about to give a going report. Tommo handed that over. I couldn't believe what he said. I said, 'It's a man actually, Derek'. And I was trying to explain to you [Jones] what was going on.' Thompson told them the viral clip had 'changed my life', if not theirs, on a celebratory night at the track. The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in his final race, the It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: 'It has been absolutely incredible, I'm nearly shedding a tear. It's ridiculous as I'm a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight. 'I've enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we've had thousands here, it's superb.' On his final call, he added: 'I'll never ever forget it. I'm quite moved and it's difficult to concentrate as I'm not working any more – I'm talking into the microphone, but I'm not holding it.'
North Wales Chronicle
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton
Thompson announced late last year he would retire from commentating in 2025 and subsequently identified Tuesday night's six-race fixture at Dunstall Park as his last ahead of his upcoming 75th birthday. With well wishers aplenty on track, 'Tommo' called home the first three winners on the card, his final race being the appropriately named It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Sadly no photo but it's an exemplary final race call from @tommoracing! 👏 Best of luck in your retirement big fella! 🙌 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 22, 2025 The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in the hands of Luke Morris, but that did not stop Thompson having some fun inside the final furlong, as he said: 'Space Bear now takes it up, from Jowalla, coming from a long way back is Lyra Lea, but it's Space Bear whose going to win the It's A Photo – Big Fella European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes!' Ian Bartlett commentated on the final three races, but Thompson remained in the thick of the action and was on hand to present the connections of Ballsgrove Boy with their winner's prize following his success in the concluding Thanks For Everything Tommo – Happy Retirement Handicap. Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: 'It has been absolutely incredible, I'm nearly shedding a tear. It's a ridiculous as I'm a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight. 'I've enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we'd had thousands here, it's superb.' On his final call, he added: 'I'll never ever forget it. I'm quite moved and it's difficult to concentrate as I'm not working any more – I'm talking into the microphone, but I'm not holding it.' Thompson remains one of the most recognisable figures in the racing industry having spent time commentating on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. He was even part of a three-strong party alongside Lord Oaksey and The Sun's Peter Campling that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped. And while his long spell commentating in Britain has come to an end, Thompson has no intention of hanging up his microphone entirely, with several racecourses continuing to use him as a raceday presenter, while he will also continue his association with racing in Jersey. He said: 'I've got Ascot at lunchtime on Friday and then York on Friday evening, Ascot on Saturday and then go to Jersey on Saturday night/Sunday. 'I am going to settle down a bit and enjoy. I am going to miss the commentary because the commentary box is the best view and the best seat in the house.' Speaking to Sky Sports Racing presenter Simon Mapletoft, Thompson signed off perfectly with: 'I've had a great career. Thanks big fella and by the way, it's a photo!'
Leader Live
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton
Thompson announced late last year he would retire from commentating in 2025 and subsequently identified Tuesday night's six-race fixture at Dunstall Park as his last ahead of his upcoming 75th birthday. With well wishers aplenty on track, 'Tommo' called home the first three winners on the card, his final race being the appropriately named It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Sadly no photo but it's an exemplary final race call from @tommoracing! 👏 Best of luck in your retirement big fella! 🙌 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 22, 2025 The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in the hands of Luke Morris, but that did not stop Thompson having some fun inside the final furlong, as he said: 'Space Bear now takes it up, from Jowalla, coming from a long way back is Lyra Lea, but it's Space Bear whose going to win the It's A Photo – Big Fella European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes!' Ian Bartlett commentated on the final three races, but Thompson remained in the thick of the action and was on hand to present the connections of Ballsgrove Boy with their winner's prize following his success in the concluding Thanks For Everything Tommo – Happy Retirement Handicap. Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: 'It has been absolutely incredible, I'm nearly shedding a tear. It's a ridiculous as I'm a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight. 'I've enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we'd had thousands here, it's superb.' On his final call, he added: 'I'll never ever forget it. I'm quite moved and it's difficult to concentrate as I'm not working any more – I'm talking into the microphone, but I'm not holding it.' Thompson remains one of the most recognisable figures in the racing industry having spent time commentating on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. He was even part of a three-strong party alongside Lord Oaksey and The Sun's Peter Campling that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped. And while his long spell commentating in Britain has come to an end, Thompson has no intention of hanging up his microphone entirely, with several racecourses continuing to use him as a raceday presenter, while he will also continue his association with racing in Jersey. He said: 'I've got Ascot at lunchtime on Friday and then York on Friday evening, Ascot on Saturday and then go to Jersey on Saturday night/Sunday. 'I am going to settle down a bit and enjoy. I am going to miss the commentary because the commentary box is the best view and the best seat in the house.' Speaking to Sky Sports Racing presenter Simon Mapletoft, Thompson signed off perfectly with: 'I've had a great career. Thanks big fella and by the way, it's a photo!'
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton
Even though there was a clear winner, a trademark shout of 'photo!' from Derek Thompson was an appropriate way of bringing the curtain down on his 60-year commentary career at Wolverhampton. Thompson announced late last year he would retire from commentating in 2025 and subsequently identified Tuesday night's six-race fixture at Dunstall Park as his last ahead of his upcoming 75th birthday. With well wishers aplenty on track, 'Tommo' called home the first three winners on the card, his final race being the appropriately named It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Sadly no photo but it's an exemplary final race call from @tommoracing! 👏 Best of luck in your retirement big fella! 🙌 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 22, 2025 The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in the hands of Luke Morris, but that did not stop Thompson having some fun inside the final furlong, as he said: 'Space Bear now takes it up, from Jowalla, coming from a long way back is Lyra Lea, but it's Space Bear whose going to win the It's A Photo – Big Fella European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes!' Ian Bartlett commentated on the final three races, but Thompson remained in the thick of the action and was on hand to present the connections of Ballsgrove Boy with their winner's prize following his success in the concluding Thanks For Everything Tommo – Happy Retirement Handicap. Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: 'It has been absolutely incredible, I'm nearly shedding a tear. It's a ridiculous as I'm a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight. 'I've enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we'd had thousands here, it's superb.' On his final call, he added: 'I'll never ever forget it. I'm quite moved and it's difficult to concentrate as I'm not working any more – I'm talking into the microphone, but I'm not holding it.' Thompson remains one of the most recognisable figures in the racing industry having spent time commentating on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. He was even part of a three-strong party alongside Lord Oaksey and The Sun's Peter Campling that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped. And while his long spell commentating in Britain has come to an end, Thompson has no intention of hanging up his microphone entirely, with several racecourses continuing to use him as a raceday presenter, while he will also continue his association with racing in Jersey. He said: 'I've got Ascot at lunchtime on Friday and then York on Friday evening, Ascot on Saturday and then go to Jersey on Saturday night/Sunday. 'I am going to settle down a bit and enjoy. I am going to miss the commentary because the commentary box is the best view and the best seat in the house.' Speaking to Sky Sports Racing presenter Simon Mapletoft, Thompson signed off perfectly with: 'I've had a great career. Thanks big fella and by the way, it's a photo!'
