RACING PREVIEWS:ON THE eve of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe it may seem odd to be considering the Cheltenham Gold Cup in over five months' time but First Lieutenant could get people talking festival if beating Sizing Europe at Gowran today.

The in-form Mouse Morris is throwing both First Lieutenant and his Punchestown winner China Rock at Sizing Europe in the Grade Two PWC Champion Chase and the former two-mile champion faces a big task against them. First Lieutenant is already as low as 12 to 1 in some ante-post Gold Cup lists and a combination of two and a half miles and good ground should be ideal for a horse who won first time out last season.

The jumps campaign ups another gear tomorrow at Tipperary with a series of black-type events highlighted by Rebel Fitz's five-in-a-row attempt in the €52,500 hurdle.

Willie Mullins runs the dual-French Champion Hurdle winner Thousand Stars as well as Blackstairmountain but Rebel Fitz looks a type to follow until beaten.

Barry Geraghty's mount Jacksonslady can successfully step up in the Grade Three novice chase.