Curragh target for Dettori

Doncastor plays host to Britain's final classic of the season without the presence of Frankie Dettori for the fourth year running this Saturday.

Godolphin's Alunissage was confirmed definitely on course for the Rothmans Royals-sponsored £350,000 event, joining a likely dozen horses at today's five-day stage. But Dettori is instead set to partner stablemate Marienbard in the Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St Leger on the same day at the Curragh.

Yet the Italian's absence has not in the past detracted from Godolphin's chances of landing the Group One contest - the world's oldest classic, whose current sponsorship deal was today extended to 2004.

In 1999, Richard Hills won the St Leger on Mutafaweq for Sheikh Mohammed's global operation and John Reid triumphed on stabl e companion, Nedawi, the previous year. Meanwhile, Dettori was capturing the Irish Champion Stakes on Daylami and Swain respectively. The only doubt is that Marienbard would not run if the Curragh ground were softer than good.

The Irish participation in Doncaster's St Leger is likely to remain undecided until later this week. Aidan O'Brien expects his entries - Life Match, Mediterranean, Milan and Saddler's Creek - to stand their ground at this stage. But all four are also engaged in the Irish version.

Currabeg handler John Oxx must also chose between the same two targets for Pugin.

Dermot Weld is leaning towards the Irish St Leger with Vinnie Roe, conscious of keeping travelling to a minimum ahead of a possible tilt at Australia's Melbourne Cup.