So You Think has the turn of foot to atone

However it cannot help the preparation of the O’Brien horses, ahead of Group One races, when there is so much uncertainty surrounding the riding arrangements.

At least Heffernan is no stranger to So You Think.

He rode the horse on its European bow at the Curragh at the beginning of May, but Ryan Moore took over for his victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and was in the saddle when the five-year-old was controversially defeated at Royal Ascot.

Moore, the former champion jockey who has been riding with increasing frequency for O’Brien, is retained by Sir Michael Stoute to ride Workforce, last year’s Derby and Arc hero.

Ironically, he could also have ridden Snow Fairy – a surprise Eclipse entry – after landing last year’s Epsom Oaks on the Ed Dunlop-trained filly.

The four-time Group One winner also had the option of competing in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks tomorrow but will instead attempt to become the first filly to win the Eclipse since Kooyonga in 1992, with Johnny Murtagh aboard.

Sri Putra, last year’s runner-up, and Stoute’s Confront, who is likely to make the running, complete the select field.

One reason why Moore is so in demand is because of his tactical acumen, exemplified by his 2007 Eclipse victory aboard Notnowcato who was the only runner to swing across the wide Sandown straight to benefit from the faster ground on the stands side.