Three run-of-the-mill National Hunt meetings are the modest racing menu in Britain tomorrow, but the spotlight will be focussed very firmly on the Flat action across the Channel.

Longchamp, in France, is the target for Ryedale trainer Tim Easterby, who saddles his two best horses in famous races.

Bollin Eric, winner of last year's St Leger, contests the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while ace sprinter Somnus contests the Prix de l'Abbeye.

Due to retire to the National Stud at Newmarket in 2004, Bollin Eric, a winner at York in August, could be making his final racecoure appearance in this European showpiece event.

A creditable fourth to Vinnie Rose, who is in opposition again tomorrow, in last month's Irish St Leger after being caught out by the dawdling early gallop, Bollin Eric has run some cracking races in defeat this season.

Back to a mile and a half tomorrow, the four-year-old should not have any concerns about getting the fast pace he requires.

Whether he's good enough to land this Group 1 contest is probably doubtful, but he's certainly in with a good each-way chance at his likely odds of around 25-1.

The main prize could well be fought out by Dalakhani, winner of this year's French Derby, and High Chaparral, winner of last year's English and Irish Derbys. Preference is for the latter, who has the best of the draw.

Somnus faces an equally searching test earlier in the afternoon, but like Bollin Eric, also boasts each-way claims.

Winner of the Group 1 Haydock Park Sprint over six furlongs on his latest outing, the Great Habton gelding was favoured that day by the rain-softened ground.

Tomorrow, he reverts to the minimum trip and he might have difficulty in confirming his superiority over Oasis Dream and Airwave, who filled the minor places at Haydock.

Oasis Dream, brilliant winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August, gets my principal vote, especially if the ground is good or faster.

Back on home soil, expect Tony McCoy to figure strongly among the winners at Market Rasen.

The champion jumps jockey, currently chasing Richard Johnston in the title race after being sidelined for more than two months with a broken arm, has good prospects of riding three winners.

McCoy can score on The Sister (2.40), Red Sun (3.40) and Music To My Ears (4.10).

Tyneandthyneagain is a horse held in high regard in the Richard Guest yard and this talented gelding, sidelined last season through injury, can make a winning return in the Sawyer Brothers Bookmakers Beginners' Chase.

Up at Kelso, Big Wheel is napped to make a successful reappearance after a mid-summer break by winning the NSPCC Full Stop Handicap Hurdle. Tony Dobbin has the mount.

Also worth noting are the promising Banningham Blade (2.20) and the consistent Johnston's Art (4.55).

Tomorrow's tips

LONGCHAMP

2.00 Oasis Dream (each-way Somnus), 4.30 High Chaparral (each-way Bollin Eric).

Market Rasen

2.10 Pompeii, 2.40 The Sister, 3.10 Tyneandthyneagain, 3.40 Red Sun, 4.10 Music To My Ears, 4.45 Cromwell, 5.20 Oscar The Boxer.

Kelso

2.20 Banningham Blade, 2.50 Benrajah, 3.20 Red Man, 3.50 Carnacrack, 4.20 Big Wheel (Nap), 4.55 Johnston's Art.

FONTWELL

2.30 Cliquey, 3.00 Assoon, 3.30 Rose Tina, 4.00 The Newsman, 4.40 Compton Chick, 5.10 Forest Ivory.

There are no other meetings tomorrow.

Updated: 11:13 Saturday, October 04, 2003