Racing: I'LL STICK ON SAILS

Sunday Mirror, Apr 27, 2003

HAVING put Lateen Sails up for next Saturday's 2,000 Guineas, I am happy to stick with the Godolphin hope in the belief that his serious turn of foot has to make him a major player.

At Sandown on Friday, Frankie Dettori (below) told me that while Lateen Sails had seemed no great shakes (or should that be sheikhs?) in his winter work on the all-weather surfaces in Dubai, he had seemed a different colt when switched to turf and winning their private 2,000 Guineas trial on April 4.

Arguably the most popular result on Saturday would be a win for the bargain-basement, syndicate-owned Tout Seul, who struck a major blow for the minnows when springing a surprise in last season's Dewhurst.

Trained by Fulke Johnson-Houghton and his daughter Eve, Tout Seul has been going well at home, though father and daughter have been praying for some rain so that they can get some work into him on grass.

The Johnson-Houghton yard have hardly had any runners this season, but those who have seen the racecourse have not run badly and I would be very surprised if this team that blends wisdom with the enthusiasm of youth didn't have Tout Seul spot on for the big day.

He is currently a solid 10-1 shot but would become of interest as a saver if a serious market move developed for him in the 48 hours before post time.

Among the real pineapples, there is a quiet whisper for Mister Links, who is 50-1 everywhere and doubtless bigger on Betfair. Richard Hannon has won the Guineas three times and a young feller called Pat Eddery has made sure he has got the ride.