King Cuan has proven a real moneyspinner for Paddy Twomey this season and bagged another big pot in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final at Naas.
Since finishing fourth when a beaten favourite on his debut, he has subsequently won at Cork before landing the Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge at this venue.
Chasing the €70,800 first prize, Billy Lee always looked in command on the 4-5 favourite and while the 100-1 outsider Duplantis closed to within a head, the post came in time.
“The fun he’s after giving that syndicate has been brilliant. That roar you wouldn’t usually get on the Flat and it’s a nice welcome back,” said Lee.
“The race didn’t go as smooth as I wanted – I thought they would go a bit more of a gallop and I was trapped wide. I just tried to keep it as simple as possible.
“I knew I was probably on the best horse in the race, he’s cruised there and picked up to win well. He was just getting a bit lonely in front and on that ground you are never going to be ultra impressive.
“He gets seven well which opens up options for next year. He’s a game little horse.”
Jessica Harrington is enjoying a good end to the season and her Curvature (13-2) made every yard of the running in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes.
Sent into an early lead by Garry Carroll, the three-year-old had gone close in a similar event at Listowel last time out and proved a determined filly.
William Haggas’ raider Good Gracious burst out of the pack to challenge but could never quite get on terms.
“She loves that if she can get onto the lead and she’s learning now,” said Harrington. “She was too fresh in Listowel as she hadn’t run for a while but today she was really good and it’s great to get that big black type.
“She was only cruising in front but it’s a long way home here in the straight and she kept on really well.”
Dancing Tango came from almost last to win the second Listed race on the card, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes.
Joseph O’Brien’s other runner Goodie Two Shoes looked to be going best two furlongs out but faded badly.
Azazat took over at the head of affairs but deep inside the final furlong Dylan Browne McMonagle brought the 13-2 chance with a real rattle to win going away.
“Things didn’t really go to plan out of the gates. I was in first and in there a long time and I’d planned to be in the first quarter if possible. We knew she stays well and she handles this ground,” said McMonagle.
“I was a little bit sluggish away and the pace was strong for the first five or six furlongs even for the grade we were in. I let her find her feet and I knew she would come home well, it was just a matter of getting a clean run.
“She’s an improving filly and deserves her success in this grade and was really tough today.”
Jessica Gadirova has revealed she suffered a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament injury at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships earlier this month.
The 2022 world floor champion withdrew ahead of the all-round competition in Antwerp after injuring her knee in a “freak incident” and the 19-year-old Briton has now revealed the extent of the damage.
Gadirova admits she is unsure how long she will be sidelined for but is bracing herself for a “tough and long journey ahead”. The 2024 Paris Olympics begin on July 26 next year.
She posted on Instagram: “As most of you are aware I had to withdraw from the remainder of the World Championship due to a knee injury – this has resulted in being a full tear to my ACL.
View this post on Instagram“It happened on Friday evening just before coming out to compete in the AA final. This was a freak accident performing a gymnastics prep not one of my competition skills.
“I’m still taking time to process this myself and I know it’s going to be a tough and long journey ahead.
“At this point I don’t know for sure how long but I’ll be doing everything I can with the support of those around me to return to the sport I love as soon as I can.
“I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and love.”
Gadirova won three gold medals at the European Championships earlier this year and is an Olympic bronze medallist after finishing third in the team event at Tokyo 2020 alongside twin sister Jennifer.
Bravemansgame is likely to reappear in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before defending his King George VI Chase crown on Boxing Day.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls will consider the Charlie Hall at Wetherby for his first run, which he won last season, but at this stage is favouring the Grade One on Merseyside on November 25.
The eight-year-old was the only horse to give Galopin Des Champs a fright in the Gold Cup and then got much closer to him at Punchestown, only for them both to be beaten by Fastorslow.
“It is highly likely he will start this season in the Betfair Chase at Haydock which has been a brilliant race for me with horses like Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti and the timing is ideal ahead of the King George VI Chase at Kempton,” said Nicholls.
“He is ticking over and could be ready for the Charlie Hall at Wetherby if the ground was suitable but we are leaning towards Haydock. It is an extremely valuable pot and Bravemansgame has won at the track.
“The ground at Wetherby was only just ok for him last year and we don’t want to be taking any chances. To keep our options open, we will probably give him an entry, too, in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. It would be a tough ask for him off a mark of 172 but Denman won it off 174.”
One who could take in the Wetherby race is stablemate Pic D’Orhy, who won four of his five races last season, with his only defeat coming behind Shishkin in the Ascot Chase.
“I’m keen to step him up in trip and am getting him ready for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby if the ground is suitable,” Nicholls told Betfair.
“He is bred to stay three miles and is always keeping on at the end of his races. Then we will probably look at the Peterborough Chase. If he does stay three miles, it will open up more doors for him.”
Stage Star was another star for the stable last term and Cheltenham in November is on his radar.
“He isn’t the easiest to place but is brilliant fresh and goes straight to the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. We will then make a plan with the Ryanair Chase at the Festival a likely target in the spring. I don’t rule out a step up to three miles for him at some stage,” said Nicholls.
Bravemansgame is likely to reappear in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before defending his King George VI Chase crown on Boxing Day.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls will consider the Charlie Hall at Wetherby for his first run, which he won last season, but at this stage is favouring the Grade One on Merseyside on November 25.
The eight-year-old was the only horse to give Galopin Des Champs a fright in the Gold Cup and then got much closer to him at Punchestown, only for them both to be beaten by Fastorslow.
“It is highly likely he will start this season in the Betfair Chase at Haydock which has been a brilliant race for me with horses like Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti and the timing is ideal ahead of the King George VI Chase at Kempton,” said Nicholls.
“He is ticking over and could be ready for the Charlie Hall at Wetherby if the ground was suitable but we are leaning towards Haydock. It is an extremely valuable pot and Bravemansgame has won at the track.
“The ground at Wetherby was only just ok for him last year and we don’t want to be taking any chances. To keep our options open, we will probably give him an entry, too, in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. It would be a tough ask for him off a mark of 172 but Denman won it off 174.”
One who could take in the Wetherby race is stablemate Pic D’Orhy, who won four of his five races last season, with his only defeat coming behind Shishkin in the Ascot Chase.
“I’m keen to step him up in trip and am getting him ready for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby if the ground is suitable,” Nicholls told Betfair.
“He is bred to stay three miles and is always keeping on at the end of his races. Then we will probably look at the Peterborough Chase. If he does stay three miles, it will open up more doors for him.”
Stage Star was another star for the stable last term and Cheltenham in November is on his radar.
“He isn’t the easiest to place but is brilliant fresh and goes straight to the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. We will then make a plan with the Ryanair Chase at the Festival a likely target in the spring. I don’t rule out a step up to three miles for him at some stage,” said Nicholls.
Hollie Doyle will look to tick another big ambition off her “bucket list” when riding Bradsell at this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.
American duo Julie Krone and Rosie Napravnik are the only female jockeys to have tasted success at the meeting, in 2003 and 2012 respectively.
Doyle’s best effort so far in her previous attempts to join that exclusive club was a fourth-placed finish on Nashwa 12 months ago when favourite for the Filly & Mare Turf.
“It’s something that is definitely on the bucket list,” said the 27-year-old. “I’ve had a few attempts so far without any luck but it’s something that would be a dream to achieve.
“Every time I go to America I bring a lot back and learn from it. You realise how good they have to be to win a Breeders’ Cup race. You can’t just turn up there, they have to be trained to the minute for it.”
This year, Doyle appears to have a decent chance of hitting the target with dual Royal Ascot winner Bradsell in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
Archie Watson’s three-year-old followed up last season’s Coventry Stakes triumph by beating Highfield Princess in the King’s Stand Stakes at the Berkshire track in June.
He has since finished third in the Nunthorpe at York before a below-par effort in the Flying Five at the Curragh, but there were excuses for that setback in Ireland.
“We went there looking for good ground but I think an hour before the race there was a deluge,” said Doyle. “It was very loose ground and although he travelled nicely on it, he just wheel spun when push came to shove. That’s all we put it down to.
“Bradsell is always a horse we’ve thought highly of. He won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and then sustained that injury afterwards. All credit to Archie for getting him back, because you never know how they’re going to come back from that type of thing, if not physically then mentally.
“He’s so tough and to bounce back in the way he has, stepping back down to five furlongs, has been incredible.
“I’m so lucky and blessed to be riding these horses. I had Nashwa last year, and The Platinum Queen; to be able to go this year with Bradsell, I’m just very lucky.”
Doyle is also dreaming of Melbourne Cup glory after being booked to partner recent Flemington Group Three scorer Future History in Australia’s biggest race.
Reflecting on that opportunity, she told Sky Sports Racing: “I’m really happy and very excited about that. It was always going to be a hard task to get a ride in the Melbourne Cup, but I’ve managed to pick one up and it’s pretty cool.
“It’ll be great to have a change and hopefully have a bit of success abroad.”
Connections of Facteur Cheval are eager to see more rainfall at Ascot ahead of his tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day.
Jerome Reynier’s ultra-consistent performer is yet to finish outside the first three in five outings this term, beaten less than two lengths on each occasion, with his last three appearances coming at Group One level.
The Facteur Cheval team are looking forward to another crack at Paddington having been short of room when second to Aidan O’Brien’s prolific winner in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
“It’s the plan and he could run on any type of surface, but he’s better with some give in the ground and the wetter the better, like when he won the Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud,” said Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, who own the horse in partnership with Gary Barber.
“We have skipped some other races he could have run in waiting for the race next weekend figuring it would be really wet again.”
If the ground is quicker than Facteur Cheval ideally likes, connections will use it as a guide to next year.
Irwin added: “I think at this point we’re looking at it as much, if not more, as a test to see how he handles that (quicker) going at this point of his life, as our goal next year is the Dubai Turf. This will be a good test to see how he handles that type of track.
“That mile up the straight at Ascot is more like a mile and eighth and that’s the distance of the Dubai Turf.
“That’s what we’re looking at and whether we are going to have a big impact on this race now – and unless we get lucky and the ground turns very soft – that is something we’re a bit concerned about obviously.”
Noble Yeats will not be seen until the new year when he will once again be geared towards the Randox Grand National.
The first seven-year-old National winner since 1940 when triumphing on Merseyside in the hands of Sam Waley-Cohen in 2022, he relished the Aintree fences once again when a keeping on fourth behind Corach Rambler in the defence of his title earlier in the year.
However, he has been given plenty of time to recover from a busy 2022-23 season and having just returned to trainer Emmet Mullins, will not be rushed back into action.
“He had a hard season last year so he’s had an extended summer break and has only just arrived back to me earlier this month,” explained Mullins.
“We won’t see him until after Christmas and I would imagine all roads will lead back to Aintree.”
Noble Yeats could return over hurdles in the new year as connections plot a path back to Aintree, with another crack at Auteuil’s Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – in which he was a running-on seventh in 2023 – also on the agenda.
Mullins added: “There’s no races really in mind and I might even take in a conditions hurdle – he’s won one maiden hurdle – and start him off slowly and build up to the National and then back to France.
“They are two aims for the back-end of the season.”
Noble Yeats entered the Gold Cup reckoning when landing the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree last December, but the second half of his 2022-23 campaign was hallmarked by staying on strongly to hit the frame but ultimately coming up short in his big-race assignments.
Sean Bowen was often seen having to push Noble Yeats along as he looked slightly outpaced during the midpoint of those races but despite cheekpieces being employed for his last three starts, Mullins is in no doubt about his star chaser’s will to win.
“It’s a funny one and I’m sure if someone had their tracker speeds on him then he is not slowing down mid-race, it is probably as fast as he can go,” said Mullins.
“He’s a relentless stayer and no one can fault his attitude in a finish.”
Sam Tomkins will head home to France to spend more time with his family after the dream of a fairytale finish to his rugby league career was dashed by Catalans’ Super League Grand Final defeat to Wigan.
Liam Marshall’s second-half try put the seal on a hard-fought 10-2 win for Tomkins’ former club and meant the 34-year-old would fail to add to his three previous Grand Final wins when he was wearing the cherry-and-white.
Tomkins, who had fought off a serious knee injury to battle through a final season in the hope of inspiring a historic first win for the French side, admitted: “I didn’t enjoy one second of it. I don’t see getting to a Grand Final as much of an achievement really.”
The former two-time Man of Steel made little impression in a gruelling affair in which he was clattered by his good friend and former team-mate, Wigan captain Liam Farrell, in the opening minutes, and his side’s hopes were undone by a pair of sin-binnings either side of half-time.
Tomkins said he had no regrets about extending his career but added: “Sometimes you have to be a little bit selfish as an athlete and this year I’ve been more selfish than I would have liked to have been.
“I’ve said no to my wife and kids too many times this year because I’ve struggled a lot physically. Getting ready for games has not just been about training but at home, 24 hours a day, and I’m glad that’s over and I can be a better dad.”
Tomkins will stay in the south of France in a yet to be defined ambassadorial role, and accepts once the disappointment of Saturday’s second Grand Final defeat in three years begins to ease, he will take solace from the knowledge that Catalans are well-equipped to come again.
“Look at the way the club’s moving forward,” Tomkins continued. “We’re a top-four side now consistently, no-one can argue with that, and top-four sides compete for silverware.
“I love this club, it’s given me the five best years of my life. My family are growing up in a beautiful place and it’s been a dream. I love the club and everything they have given me, and whatever my next role is I will continue to give them 100 per cent.”
Wales wing Josh Adams believes that World Cup co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake will be “massive figureheads” during the build-up to Australia 2027.
The dust has yet to on Wales’ World Cup campaign in France, which was ended by quarter-final opponents Argentina.
And while the immediate reaction is one of major disappointment that Wales could not reach a third semi-final in the last four tournaments, a new generation of talent is emerging.
Morgan, 23, and 24-year-old Lake are at the forefront, having shone at their first World Cup through leadership and performances.
“We have two young captains in Dewi and Jac, and they have led us incredibly well and are a huge voice for us,” Adams said.
“I have enjoyed playing under them and for those two especially, there are massive careers ahead for them.
“They will no doubt be in the next four-year (World Cup) cycle and they will be massive figureheads for a lot of young lads in this team moving forward.
“I am sure they will drive the standards up even higher.”
Lake, meanwhile, has vowed that crestfallen Wales will kick on following the Argentina loss, which came after an unbeaten pool phase that delivered victories over Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.
Wales face the Barbarians in Cardiff on November 4, then play opening Six Nations opponents Scotland three months later.
“Emotions go up and down, but it is tough to take,” Lake said.
“We were not given a lot of hope from people coming into this tournament. A lot of people said we were not going to get out of the group.
“We will learn a lot from this and a lot of boys are at their first World Cup.
“You don’t learn a lot from winning constantly. Learning comes from losing games and seeing where you can get better and where you went wrong. These are the type of games that build character.
“A loss in a World Cup quarter-final with tears streaming down your face, that is a feeling you never want again. We will kick on from here.”
One player no longer part of Wales’ plans is fly-half Dan Biggar, who has retired from Test rugby after winning 112 caps and scoring more than 600 points.
Whether any of his colleagues follow him into international retirement remains to be seen, but Toulon star Biggar’s 15-year impact on Wales has proved significant.
Lake added: “Any time you lose a figure like that it is a tough loss. He has given his time in Welsh rugby, he is a (caps) centurion, a Lions tourist, a leader, he has been unbelievable in a Lions and Wales jersey.
“What he has given to Wales with the sacrifices, he has taken hits like no other 10 I have seen in world rugby and a lot of people would agree with that.
“In terms of his leadership and speaking after games, we will miss him and I think he will miss us as well.
“He has been an unbelievable ambassador for Welsh rugby and has inspired a lot of people old and young.”
Cheltenham Festival hero Seddon will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of Hewick when he heads to Far Hills for the American Grand National on Saturday.
John McConnell’s stable star is the latest Irish challenger for America’s top jumping prize and the handler is relishing the opportunity to add to the 10-year-olds burgeoning CV in New Jersey.
Seddon has proved a shrewd acquisition for McConnell and owners the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate winning four times last season, including providing his handler with a first Cheltenham Festival victory when claiming the Magners Plate before adding to his riches over hurdles at the Punchestown equivalent.
He was last seen being denied by a neck at Galway last month and his trainer believes his versatility could be an asset ahead of his latest big-race assignment.
“It’s exciting and something different,” said McConnell.
“He’s most definitely been a star and a horse of a lifetime for his syndicate, myself and Ben (Harvey, jockey), so anything from here on in is a bonus.
“It was an exciting opportunity to have a go at and hopefully he comes home safe and if he runs his race I will be happy.
“He jumps very well whether it is hurdles and fences so I don’t think that will be a problem and nice ground and the trip will be OK. I suppose it all depends on how he settles in but we’re very hopeful.”
It will also be a big afternoon for jockey Ben Harvey who has struck up a fine partnership with Seddon and will be riding for the first time in America.
“Ben rides him and he’s looking forward to it,” continued McConnell.
“Obviously he has never ridden over there before but he’s a good judge of pace and we wouldn’t have anyone else on him at this stage.”
Raiders from Britain and Ireland have a fine recent record in the Far Hills feature with Hewick using the race as a stepping stone to bigger and better things last year and McConnell has been given plenty of advice from Hewick’s handler John ‘Shark’ Hanlon ahead of Seddon’s cross-Atlantic adventure.
He added: “Shark paved the way and I’ve had a good chat with him about it.
“He has been very helpful and in fact everybody has been really helpful to us along the way and I just want to get see him get on the track and get it over with now.”
Last season was somewhat a breakthrough year for McConnell who as well as tasting success at all three of the major spring festivals, matched his highest number of winners tally in the UK and almost doubled his previous best on home soil.
Now the Stamullen-based handler believes he has got his best ever National Hunt squad heading into the depths of winter and as well as the familiar names of Seddon, Mahler Mission and Anna Bunina, McConnell has highlighted dual bumper winner Intense Approach as one who could thrive this term.
“They are all coming together nicely,” said McConnell. “Some of the bigger yards are starting to roll out now so that will be challenging and we’ll definitely mix it between the UK and Ireland over the winter.
“We’ve got the best set of jumps horses we have ever had so hopefully that will get us some rewards.
“Intense Approach would probably be the horse to watch, he’s won two bumpers for us in Ireland and he will go hurdling. We really like him and think he is a fairly special horse.
“He’ll start off in a maiden and see after that, but he’s a lovely horse and hopefully we will go to some top places with him.”
Andy Farrell believes the inspirational spirit of outgoing captain Johnny Sexton can help Ireland return to challenge on the biggest stage after another agonising World Cup exit marked the end of an era.
Ireland suffered elimination following Saturday evening’s tense 28-24 defeat to New Zealand in Paris which stretched their wait for a knockout win at the tournament to 36 years and counting.
Fly-half Sexton and veteran wing Keith Earls are already confirmed to be heading for retirement, while Farrell’s 33-man squad in France contained a further 15 players aged 30 or above.
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The head coach expects the togetherness developed during the last four-year cycle to continue regardless of potential personnel changes and feels the departing Sexton will remain a key part of that.
“I think a lot of our group are still learning and I said to the group in the changing room the reason they’re going to keep on learning is because of this guy (Sexton) sat beside me here,” said Farrell.
“The impact that he’s had on the rest of the team over the last four years has been amazing.
“And the way that he’s conducted himself as a leader and as a player and the way that he’s shown the love of playing for Ireland will be remembered and connected to this group for many years to come.
“Through his example, the younger guys will keep on getting better and striving to be better, there’s no doubt about that.”
Ireland went into a mouthwatering showdown with the All Blacks as the world’s top-ranked team and marginal favourites.
But their remarkable 17-match winning run was halted as the Kiwis avenged last summer’s series defeat on home soil to book a last-four meeting with Argentina.
Asked what gives him confidence for the future, Farrell continued: “Just knowing what we’ve got. The type of character that we’ve got, the type of people we’ve got, the type of player, staff.
“The hunger to want to wear the green jersey.
“It is the end for this team because people are going to be leaving, but the competition that this team has built over the years will continue because of how it’s been driven, certainly over the last couple of years.
“The talent that we’ve got in Ireland will continue to come through and we’ll continue to challenge, I have no doubt about that.”
Fine margins decided a thrilling Stade de France showdown, with New Zealand continually holding Ireland at arm’s length to lead from the eighth minute to the final whistle.
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Scores from native Kiwis Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park, plus a penalty try, kept Farrell’s men on the cusp of a stunning comeback from 13-0 down.
Farrell had reservations about a raft of scrum penalties conceded by prop Andrew Porter, but was eager for Ireland to avoid sounding like “bitter losers”.
“We’ve a different view to what was going on out there, but we don’t want to sit here and have sour grapes,” he said. “We want to congratulate New Zealand on a fantastic performance.
“The scrum was part of the equation, 100 per cent, and we’ll get the answers. Andrew 100 per cent was very frustrated with what was going on out there.
“We don’t want to be bitter losers. We want to hold our head up high and do it the right way.”
Meanwhile, Sexton paid tribute to fellow retiree Earls, who bows out on 101 caps and second only to Brian O’Driscoll in Ireland’s all-time list of try scorers.
“He’s a legend and one of my best mates, not just in rugby but in life,” said Sexton.
“He’s a top-class human being. You couldn’t meet a more popular lad in the squad.
“He’ll go down as one of the very best for sure. This group will miss him definitely.”
Jordan Pickford will head into Tuesday’s crunch Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy looking forward rather than back.
The Everton goalkeeper was between the posts when Italy beat England on penalties to win Euro 2020 at Wembley.
Pickford was rested for Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia, but is expected to return for the visit of the Azzurri – where victory would secure Gareth Southgate’s side a place at next summer’s finals in Germany.
Since suffering Euro 2020 heartbreak, England have met Italy twice in the Nations League and also won 2-1 in Naples in the reverse qualifying fixture.
Now it is that prospect of another shot of international success – and not seeking payback for the heartache of two years ago – that Pickford insists is driving the team heading into the game.
“We know where we are in the world rankings and we know where we want to be. To do that, these are the teams you have to beat,” he said.
“I don’t think this game has anything to do with revenge. We went to Italy and made a bit of history, having gone so many years without beating them away from home.
“This is another tough game. They’ve got a new manager, played well in the last break, and we know they are a top side.
“This is all about qualifying for Germany. It’s another hurdle we have got to get past and we’ll be going for the victory.”
Pickford revealed there has never been much of a debrief on the shoot-out loss in 2021 and was more upset with the performance in last winter’s World Cup – praising England for brushing themselves off so quickly to work towards Euro 2024 qualification.
“We never really touched base on that Euro final,” he added.
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“There was more disappointment in Qatar, getting beat in the quarters, and then coming back straight into two competitive games.
“That just shows you the characters we are and the type of squad and togetherness we have to beat Ukraine and then beat Italy in their own backyard in Naples in a hostile environment.
“That shows you what kind of squad we are and I think the fans love it.
“Every time we put the shirt on we wear it with massive amounts of pride.
“To beat Italy in Naples was a great feeling, but they’re coming into our backyard now and they will want revenge.
“We just want to put on a performance, be at our best, and get a result to qualify.
“They are reigning European champions and are a top side. We only focus on ourselves.
“We look at what’s in front of us and we will always back ourselves to beat any team because we are fully prepared and have a lot of experience and ability.”
Rangers have confirmed the appointment of Philippe Clement as their new manager.
The 49-year-old arrives at Ibrox following the departure of Michael Beale at the start of the month.
After playing at Genk and Club Brugge, Clement has won the Belgian Pro League as a manager with both teams and had Champions League experience with Brugge.
Lewis Hamilton is facing a second investigation by Formula One’s governing body for walking across the track at last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Hamilton, 38, was fined £43,350 – half of which is suspended for the remainder of the season – in the hours after the race in which he crossed the circuit following a first-corner crash with Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
But seven days on from the incident in Lusail, and in a largely unprecedented move, the FIA has said Hamilton’s actions are again under review.
A spokesperson for the governing body said on Sunday: “The FIA is revisiting the incident in which Lewis Hamilton crossed a live track during the Qatar Grand Prix.
“The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the subsequent stewards’ hearing into the incident and acknowledged that the crossing was a serious safety breach.
“However, in view of his role model status, the FIA is concerned about the impression his actions may have created on younger drivers.”
Following the original investigation, in which Hamilton was also reprimanded, the stewards noted that “crossing a live track can cause extremely dangerous situations and the drivers have to be very cautious about it.”
It is thought that under the FIA’s rules, it is unlikely Hamilton will face additional penalties. But it is possible harsher punishments could be handed out in the future for a similar infringement.
Hamilton will be back in action at next weekend’s US Grand Prix in Austin.
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