So You Think (left) defeats Carlton House on his final run at Royal Ascot
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)So You Think retired after missing Eclipse run
SO YOU THINK has been retired by Coolmore after pulled muscles in his hind quarters ruled him out of running in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
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Ten-time Group 1 winner So You Think, who Aidan O'Brien said it had been "a real privilege" to train, will enter quarantine on Saturday before heading to Coolmore Australia for the southern hemisphere breeding season.
O'Brien said in a statement on the Coolmore website: "So You Think is an extraordinary horse and it was a real privilege to have had him here at Ballydoyle on loan from Australia."
So You Think's absence resulted in Farhh, who was a strong-finishing third to So You Think in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, being promoted to general 9-4 favourite for Saturday's Group 1.
Coral spokesman Simon Clare said: "It is desperately disappointing that the reigning champion So You Think has been ruled out on the eve of the race, not least for the connections, but sadly these things do happen in horseracing.
"We are still thrilled to have a ten-runner field full of quality, including last year's King George winner Nathaniel, the Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso, a previous Eclipse winner in Twice Over and Group 1 scorer Cityscape. We also have Bonfire representing the Classic generation.
Nathaniel: 5-2 for the Eclipse
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)"We will miss So You Think but this is still an excellent renewal of the Coral-Eclipse."
John Gosden has said that Nathaniel will participate only if the ground is suitable - the second favourite has won on good to soft and good to firm - and repeated his warning on At The Races, having marked Racing Post readers' cards earlier in the week, that the fortnight gap between the Eclipse and his main target, the King George, was not ideal.
"Normally there is three weeks between the Eclipse and the King George, but this year there is only two," Gosden said.
"That is the big factor playing on my mind because if you get a hard race in the Eclipse on your first run of the year it's a little tough to say, 'I'll be back for the King George'. At this stage I'd be mindful of that fact."
Despite that, it is far from inconceivable that Nathaniel could start favourite come Saturday, as he is just 5-2 with Ladbrokes and BetVictor.
The ground at Sandown on Thursday night was given as good, good to firm in places on the round course following a dry night. Showers are possible on Friday and Saturday.
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