Derek Thompson has hit back at critics after coming under fire for his commentary on the final race at Ayr on Monday.

Punters fumed at the veteran commentator over his call on the bumper at the Scottish track, with some describing it as "the most embarrassing I’ve ever heard."

Commentating on on RacingTV, 'Thommo' said: “On the far side, we’ve got, still on the far side, we’ve got, on this side it’s Baratablet, but on the far side it’s the one in front at this stage. It looks like Kevlar. No, hang on, it’s Out Of The Woods who’s coming through. Hang on, let me just check this, it looks like Out Of The Woods has come through from nowhere to win it.”

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A number of people hit out at Thompson online, with the commentator posting a video to respond to the criticism.

In it, he said: "I'd just like to point out a few things because a lot of people on social media have been having a go at me about my commentary in the last race at Ayr on Monday. I'd done five good commentaries after being up at 4.30 in the morning to drive the four-and-a-half hours to Ayr, and then the four-and-a-half hours back so it was nine hours in the car. Plus the commentary. And this is my last race."

Showing his notes for the race, he added: "As you know I do all my colours like this, I do all the work the day before. The three horses that were in contention were very similar colours and it was just getting a little bit difficult after the bright sunshine as it was getting a bit dark. But I got it right in the end.

"I apologise if the commentary wasn't, perhaps, as good as it should've been. But then the verbal abuse you get on the social media, is that really warranted? It's not easy to call a race, but we got it right in the end and that's what we try to do. I just thought I'd point that out."

The 74-year-old will retire from commentating at the end of the year.

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