Sir Michael Stoute is poised to achieve a career milestone by winning his first St Leger with Alexius at Doncaster tomorrow - but is unlikely to be in Britain to witness the famous occasion.

The distinguished Newmarket trainer, who has this week been attending the Keeneland Yearling Sales in Kentucky, is currently stranded in the United States following the grounding of all transatlantic flights in the aftermath of the New York bombing atrocity.

It won't matter, of course, to Alexius if Stoute fails to return in time and, indeed, the biggest worry on the part of the colt's backers is whether the three-year-old is delayed in his departure in the Rothmans Royals showpiece.

Alexius has raced only twice and, despite being unbeaten, has lost ground leaving the stalls on both occasions.

In the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time out, he produced an extraordinary display when, after forfeiting all of ten lengths at the start, he scythed through his field in the final quarter-mile and got up to win by a neck from Demophilous, who takes him on again tomorrow.

Alexius, who has been given extra stalls tuition this week in advance of this all-important £350,000 test, and reportedly behaved 'as good as gold,' will be bidding to settle an old score for Stoute, who has won every other Classic in Britain at least once.

The St Leger, though, has constantly eluded him and even his greatest-ever horse Shergar could finish only fourth in the race in 1981.

Since then Stoute has finished second with Hellenic in 1990, Saddlers Hall in '91 and with Air Marshall, who just found Millenary too strong 12 months ago.

The exciting Alexius is expected to have what it takes to put the record straight in the hands of Kieren Fallon, who is also bidding for his first triumph in Britain's oldest Classic.

A total of 11 horses have stood their ground, including no less than four from Aidan O'Brien's all-conquering Tipperary stable.

While Life Match and Saddler's Creek have plenty to prove at this level, O'Brien saddles a formidable duo in Milan, winner of last month's Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, and Mediterranean, successful in the Tote-Ebor Handicap at the same meeting.

Milan looks the best of the two and, given O'Brien's strike-rate in major races this season, can not be underestimated.

Nor indeed can the Barry Hills-trained Mr Combustible, a creditable fourth to Galileo in the Vodafone Derby, who underlined his continued well-being when beating last year's St Leger winner Millenary in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury last month.

Tim Easterby can lift the main supporting race, the £50,000 Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes with Good Girl.

Jamie Spencer's mount will appreciate returning to the minimum after finishing fourth in the Lowther Stakes at York over six furlongs.

The progressive Ahraar is well worth noting in the Torne Valley Handicap, while it would come as no surprise to see Red N' Socks return to the winning groove in the Porcelanoso Rated Handicap. John Dunlop's miler is awarded the nap vote to oblige for Richard Quinn, rider of yesterday's winning nap, Half Glance in the Park Hill Stakes.

Tomorrow's tips:

DONCASTER

2.00 - Telesto

2.30 - Ahraar

3.00 - Red N' Socks (NAP)

3.35 - Alexius

4.15 - Pinchincha

4.45 - Good Girl

5.20 - Cat's Whiskers

EPSOM

1.50 - Lots Of Magic

2.20 - Hoax

2.50 - Watchkeeper

3.25 - Maromito

4.00 - Kayseri

4.30 - Caf Grande

5.00 - Absinther

Updated: 13:01 Friday, September 14, 2001